THE  REGICIDES 

Jfjf  Jf  A  TALE  OF  EARLY 
COLONIAL  TIMES  jrjrjf 
BY  FREDERICK  HULL  COGSWELL 


orma 
.al 


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' 


THE  REGICIDES 


A  TALE  OF  EARLY  COLONIAL  TIMES 


BY 


FREDERICK  HULL  COGSWELL 


Illustrated  by  F.  Usher  Devoll 


NEW  YORK 

THE    BAKER    &    TAYLOR    CO. 
5  and  7  East  Sixteenth  Street 


COPYRIGHTED  1896 

BY 
FREDERICK  HULL  COGSWELL. 


• 


To 
C.  W.  C. 


1782184 


THE  REGICIDES. 


i. 

A  strange  tale,  and  one  not  entirely  devoid 
of  romance,  has  lain  buried  in  the  records 
and  traditions  of  a  New  England  town  for 
more  than  two  centuries.  Now  and  then  an 
enterprising  student  of  the  past  has  unearthed 
portions  of  it  for  the  delectation  of  the  histor- 
ical society,  or  the  readers  of  a  county  news- 
paper. An  occasional  fact  peeps  out  from 
between  the  covers  of  the  ancestral  books  of 
some  of  the  old  families.  The  local  histor- 
ians have  made  a  bare  chronicle  of  the  event. 
But  for  the  most  part  the  tale  has  slept  as 
undisturbed  as  the  bones  of  the  forefathers 
whose  living  eyes  looked  upon  the  scenes 
and  persons  involved,  and  whose  dying  eyes 
were  closed  by  the  pious  hands  of  the  village 
minister. 

So  far  as  New  England  is  concerned — for 
the  story  takes  a  deep  root  in  the  history  of 
two  countries — it  began  in  the  latter  part  of 


6  THE  REGICIDES. 

March,  1661,  in  a  snow  storm.  Twenty- 
three  years  before,  John  Davenport  and 
Theophilus  Eaton  had  arrived  from  the  in- 
hospitable shores  of  England  with  their  little 
company  of  traders  and  planters,  and  had 
entered  the  beautiful  harbor  of  Quinnipiac. 
The  system  of  government  which  they  had 
been  obliged  to  flee  was  so  revolting  to  their 
consciences  that  they  could  no  longer  support 
or  endure  it.  Charles  Stuart,  that  prince  of 
promise-breakers,  sat  upon  the  throne,  little 
dreaming  that  within  a  dozen  years  a  Puritan 
would  be  guiding  the  destinies  of  England, 
and  his  own  head  lying  at  the  foot  of  a  scaf- 
fold. Archbishop  Laud  was  carrying  his 
persecution  of  the  ' '  crop-eared  fanatics  ' '  so 
far  that  the  lives  of  Davenport  and  some  of 
his  friends  were  in  danger,  and  they  saw  no 
hope  for  themselves  and  their  children  except 
in  a  new  country  and  under  new  conditions. 
Davenport  had  fled  to  Holland  for  a  brief 
sojourn,  but  Laud  had  boasted  that  he  would 
reach  him  even  there,  and  it  was  decided  to 
leave  the  old  world  behind,  and  set  sail  for 
the  new  West. 

The  new-comers  had  bought  a  large  tract 
of  the  Indians,  and  laid  out  the  town  at  the 
head  of  the  harbor.  The  Indian  name  of 


THE  REGICIDES.  ^ 

Quinnipiac  was  soon  changed  to  New  Haven, 
a  haven  to  be  forever  free  from  political 
and  religious  oppression,  and  where  public 
affairs  were  to  be  administered  by  citizens  of 
the  people's  own  choosing. 

At  eight  of  the  clock  on  Friday  evening, 
while  the  storm  was  furiously  raging, 
William  I/eete,  deputy  and  acting  governor 
of  the  colony,  was  engaged  in  a  low  conver- 
sation with  two  men  at  his  home  in  Guilford. 
One  was  about  seventy  years  of  age,  tall  and 
soldierly  in  bearing,  his  venerable  head 
adorned  with  snowy  white  hair  and  a  long 
flowing  beard.  His  face,  naturally  pale, 
showed  signs  of  exposure,  though  he  would 
anywhere  have  been  judged  to  be  of  scholarly 
taste  and  habit.  As  he  sat  looking  into  Gov- 
ernor lyeete's  comfortable  fireplace,  it  was 
evident  that  he  was  controlling  a  strong  emo- 
tion. The  other  guest  was  perhaps  twenty- 
five  years  younger,  shorter  in  stature,  of  firm 
and  not  too  heavy  build,  with  a  magnificent 
head  rising  from  a  strong  but  graceful  neck 
and  a  broad  pair  of  shoulders.  His  black 
hair  and  beard  had  begun  to  turn  to  iron 
gray.  His  hands,  though  brown  and  show- 
ing the  effects  of  the  weather,  were  delicately 
and  gracefully  formed,  and  under  the  smooth 


8  THE  REGICIDES. 

skin  could  be  seen  the  play  of  steel-like  mus- 
cles. The  most  striking  feature  of  his  face 
was  a  pair  of  coal-black  eyes,  instinct  with 
power  and  passion,  that  bespoke  a  nature 
fitted  and  accustomed  to  command.  He  and 
Governor  L,eete  were  carrying  on  most  of  the 
conversation,  while  the  elderly  man  gazed 
silently  into  the  fire. 

' '  I  have  grave  fears  about  allowing  thy 
friend  to  take  the  journey  in  this  terrible 
storm,"  the  governor  was  saying,  "but  it 
shall  be  as  thou  sayest." 

"  True,  it  is  a  rather  hazardous  undertak- 
ing," replied  he  of  the  coal-black  eyes,  "  but 
there  is  no  alternative.  If  we  remain  here, 
we  render  thy  position  one  of  extreme  danger. 
That  we  will  never  consent  to  do.  We  have 
faced  death  cheerfully  in  a  hundred  battles 
for  a  principle,  and  we  would  sooner  perish  in 
the  storm  than  betray  a  friend.  Is  it  not  so, 
my  father  ?  " 

At  that  moment  the  wind  struck  the  house 
with  a  violence  that  threatened  to  crush  it, 
and  the  roar  in  the  great  square  chimney  was 
so  deafening  as  to  interrupt  all  conversation 
for  the  time.  A  shudder  involuntarily  shook 
the  form  of  the  old  man  as  he  rose  and  met 
the  governor,  who  had  stepped  to  a  window 
to  examine  its  fastenings. 


THE  REGICIDES.  9 

"  My  dear  friend,"  he  said,  extending  his 
hand,  ' '  I  am  old,  as  thou  seest.  The  strength 
that  has  sustained  this  arm  for  seventy  years 
is  almost  gone.  My  days  are  nearly  spent, 
yet  life  is  as  sweet  to  me  now  as  it  was  in  the 
flush  of  youth.  Thou  wilt  pardon  this  weak- 
ness. It  is  of  the  flesh  and  not  of  the  spirit. 
God  knows  I  would  sooner  die  by  the  road- 
side and  be  buried  in  the  drifting  snow,  than 
remain  another  hour  in  this  house.  There 
must  never  be  cause  to  regret  thy  friendship 
for  us." 

He  spoke  with  deep  feeling,  and  the  gover- 
nor grasped  his  hand  warmly. 

"  As  thou  sayest,  so  be  it,"  replied  Gover- 
nor L,eete.  "  Were  my  own  safety  alone 
concerned,  I  would  not  listen  for  a  moment. 
God  grant  the  storm  may  abate  ere  long  ! ' ' 

Stepping  to  a  door  that  led  to  the  kitchen, 
he  opened  it  and  motioned  a  young  Indian  to 
approach. 

"  Owanuc,  it  is  decided  to  go.  Art  thou 
still  willing?  " 

A  grunt  of  assent  was  the  only  reply. 

4 '  Tell  James  to  have  the  horses  ready  at 
once,  then." 

The  Indian  disappeared  toward  the  barn, 
and  the  governor  returned  to  his  friends.  He 
stepped  to  the  sideboard  and  took  therefrom 


10  THE  REGICIDES. 

a  decanter  and  some  glasses  which  he  placed 
upon  the  table.  He  then  brought  a  pair  of 
greatcoats  from  a  corner  and  hung  them  inside 
out  near  the  fire.  This  being  done,  he  seated 
himself  in  a  large  arm-chair,  and  for  some 
minutes  not  a  word  was  spoken. 

' '  How  many  miles  are  we  to  ride  ?  ' '  asked 
the  old  man  finally. 

"  It  is  sixteen  goodly  miles  to  New  Haven, ' ' 
replied  the  governor.  ' '  The  wind  will  be  in 
your  teeth  unless  it  veers,  but  the  roads  are 
hard  and  smooth,  and  half  the  way  there  will 
be  no  drifts." 

' '  It  will  never  do  to  urge  a  horse  above  a 
walk  on  a  night  like  this,"  said  the  younger 
man,  "or  we  shall  suddenly  find  ourselves 
obliged  to  go  on  foot.  I  learned  in  our  last 
campaign,  when  I  sacrificed  two  horses  in  one 
night,  that  it  takes  something  more  than  brute 
endurance  to  brave  a  storm.  Well,  I  presume 
that  is  our  summons." 

The  erect  form  of  the  Indian  stood  in  the 
doorway,  and  the  three  men  rose.  The 
younger  gently  helped  his  friend  into  one  of 
the  greatcoats,  buttoned  it  well  up  to  the 
chin,  and  donned  the  other  himself.  The 
governor  then  lifted  the  decanter  and  moved 
it  toward  the  old  man. 


THE  REGICIDES.  II 

"  Thou  wilt  need  extra  strength.  Take  a 
generous  draught.  A  full  flask  will  be  found 
in  the  saddlebag  when  thou  haltest." 

With  a  hand  beginning  to  be  unsteady 
with  age  the  old  man  poured  a  glassful,  and 
passed  the  decanter  to  the  other. 

"  Thanks,  but  I  do  not  need  it.  My  own 
strength  will  be  sufficient.  L,et  us  be  gone 
ere  we  bring  confusion  upon  the  house  of  our 
most  generous  friend." 

Owanuc  led  the  way  out  through  the 
kitchen  to  the  woodshed,  and  thence  to  the 
stable  where  the  men  could  mount  under 
cover. 

"Should  there  be  further  trouble,"  said 
the  governor  in  parting,  "  thou  wilt  receive 
warning,  but  I  trust  that  with  prudence  it 
may  be  avoided." 

' '  God  bless  and  keep  thee !  ' '  said  the 
younger  of  the  departing  guests.  "If  it 
comes  to  a  sacrifice,  let  us  be  the  ones  to  suf- 
fer." 

"Remember,  Owanuc,"  said  Governor 
lyeete  to  the  Indian,  after  the  handshaking 
was  over,  "  one  at  each  house." 

He  watched  the  three  riders  file  out  of  the 
yard  into  the  pitiless  storm,  then  returned  to 
his  comfortable  chair  by  the  blazing  fire. 


12  THE  REGICIDES. 

He  had  scarcely  seated  himself  when  there 
came  a  loud  rap  at  the  outside  door,  and  a 
lew  seconds  later  a  horseman  covered  with 
snow  entered  the  room  and  handed  the  gov- 
ernor important  papers  for  his  inspection. 


II. 

On  the  evening  of  the  great  storm  the  Rev- 
erend John  Davenport  sat  in  the  family  sit- 
ting-room of  his  residence  in  New  Haven. 
The  howling  of  the  elements  outside  rendered 
the  blazing  logs  in  the  fireplace  all  the  more 
cheerful  by  contrast.  It  was  half -past  eight 
by  the  tall  time-piece  that  stood  in  the  cor- 
ner, and  the  minister  had  just  come  from  his 
study  to  spend  a  half  hour  with  the  family 
before  retiring.  Mistress  Davenport,  a  com- 
fortable matron  whose  silvery  hair  was  partly 
hidden  by  a  muslin  cap,  sat  knitting  by  the 
table.  John,  the  only  son,  a  man  verging 
toward  thirty,  was  replenishing  the  fire ;  and 
Abigail  Pierson,  daughter  of  the  minister  at 
Branford,  sat  across  the  table,  reading  by  the 
light  of  a  tallow  dip. 

' '  Think   you  the   storm  will  last  long  ?  ' ' 
asked  Mistress  Davenport,  when  the  head  of 


THE  REGICIDES.  13 

the  household  had  taken  his  seat  in  front  of 
the  fire. 

4 '  It  is  hard  to  say, ' '  replied  the  minister. 
' '  These  late  spring  snows  are  often  very 
troublesome.  Is  everything  reported  snug 
at  the  farm,  John  ?  " 

"  Yes,  father,  every  animal  is  comfortably 
housed  and  fed.  At  least,  I  sent  word  to 
have  extra  care  taken.  Human  beings  will 
fare  much  worse  if  any  there  be  who  chance 
to  be  abroad  this  night.  When  I  came 
across  from  Master  Jones'  just  now  the  gale 
nearly  carried  me  bodily  off  the  steps,  and 
but  for  familiar  acquaintance  I  could  scarcely 
have  found  the  house  for  the  blowing  of  the 
snow." 

At  this  chilly  reminiscence,  it  occurred  to 
the  Mistress  Abigail  that  Branford  was  but 
eight  miles  away,  and  might  receive  a  simi- 
lar visitation. 

"  Oh,  I  do  hope  father  will  not  have  to  go 
out  anywhere  !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  It  would 
be  exactly  like  somebody  to  be  sick  or  in 
trouble  just  when  he  would  have  to  wade 
through  snow  up  to  his  chin  to  reach  them  ! 
Think  ye  not,  Master  Davenport,  that  people 
can  afford  to  be  well,  just  for  one  night,  when 
it  means  so  much  to  him  ?  ' ' 


14  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  minister  could  not  repress  a  smile  at 
the  thought  of  his  venerable  colleague  strug- 
gling chin  deep  in  a  snow  bank. 

"  I  know  not,  my  dear.  I  hope  so.  But 
thy  father  will  do  his  duty,  no  matter  what 
the  circumstances." 

Mistress  Davenport  stepped  to  a  cupboard 
in  one  corner  of  the  room  and  took  down  a 
small  limp  bundle. 

' '  My  daughter,  wilt  be  pleased  to  hold  this 
yarn  a  minute  while  I  wind  ?  ' ' 

The  dutiful  Abigail,  with  visions  of  pater- 
nal discomfort  floating  troublously  before  her 
mind's  eye,  placed  her  elbows  on  the  table 
and  reached  her  hands  across,  while  the 
matron  took  a  skein  of  yarn  and  hung  it  on 
the  girl's  extended  wrists.  She  then  sat 
down,  and  taking  a  loose  end  from  the  skein, 
began  winding  the  yarn  into  a  ball. 

' '  Heard  you  any  news  across  the  way  ?  ' ' 
asked  the  minister,  turning  his  eyes  towards 
his  son. 

"  Ay,  much  news.  A  post  letter  from  Bos- 
ton arrived  this  noon,  and  it  giveth  Master 
Jones  much  anxiety.  There  have  been  terri- 
ble times  in  England.  It  appears  that  certain 
of  the  royalists  were  so  overjoj'-ed  to  see  a 
king  once  more  upon  the  throne,  that  no 


THE  REGICIDES,  15 

sooner  was  Charles  the  Second  well  seated 
than  a  brutal  mob  entered  Westminster  Abbey 
and  violated  the  graves  of  Cromwell,  Ireton 
and  Bradshaw.  Their  coffins  were  broken 
open  and  the  bodies  dragged  upon  hurdles  to 
Tyburn.  There  they  were  ignominiously 
hanged,  while  the  ruffian  mob  howled  and 
insulted  the  sacred  bones  until  sunset.  They 
were  then  taken  down  and  beheaded,  the 
bodies  thrown  into  a  vile  pit  at  the  foot  of  the 
gallows  and  the  heads  placed  upon  poles  on 
the  top  of  Westminster  Hall." 

The  ladies  dropped  their  work  and  sat 
speechless  while  John  continued. 

"  Not  content  with  this  heathenish  outrage, 
the  drunken  jackals  searched  out  the  burial 
place  of  Cromwell's  mother  and  sister,  dese- 
crated the  sainted  remains,  and  threw  them 
into  the  hole  at  the  foot  of  the  gallows." 

The  mistress  fixed  upon  her  son  such  a  ter- 
rible look  that  he  hesitated. 

' '  Stop ! ' '  she  exclaimed  imperiously.  ' '  I^et 
me  hear  no  more !  If  that  be  England,  I 
would  know  it  not !  ' ' 

1 '  Forgive  me,  mother,  but  my  indignation 
was  so  strong  that  I  forgot  thy  tender  heart. 
I  will  say  no  more,  though  the  story  be  but 
just  begun." 


1 6  THE  REGICIDES. 

' '  Was  there  aught  of  a  more  gentle  import 
in  the  letter  ?  ' '  asked  the  minister, 

' '  It  related  the  fact  that  Governor  Endicott 
hath  been  notified  by  the  king  that  he  must 
arrest  and  deliver  up  the  two  judges  who 
have  been  living  in  Boston  for  some  time." 

' '  And  said  the  lettei  what  had  been  done 
about  it?  " 

' '  Yes,  although  they  had  been  living  openly 
and  treated  with  great  consideration,  the  gov- 
ernor deemed  it  his  duty  to  obey  orders.  But 
when  the  papers  had  been  made  out  and 
given  to  serve,  the  judges  had  disappeared." 

"  Did  the  letter  say  whither  they  had 
gone  ? ' ' 

' '  Nothing,  except  that  they  were  suspected 
of  having  started  toward  Springfield." 

' '  Why  should  not  the  king  be  satisfied 
with  his  horrible  work  at  home  without  pur- 
suing two  peaceable  judges  in  this  country  ?  " 
queried  Mistress  Davenport,  who  had  resumed 
her  knitting. 

"  Because,"  said  her  husband  quietly,  "  he 
is  so  human  as  to  resent  their  action  in  order- 
ing his  father  beheaded  a  few  years  ago." 

"  What,  the  judges  of  Charles  the  First  ?  " 

' '  None  other.  When  the  son  succeeded 
Cromwell  you  know  what  happened.  Every 


THE  REGICIDES.  17 

one  who  had  participated  in  his  father's  trial 
was  summoned  to  appear  at  once  or  forfeit 
pardon.  Some  who  had  confidence  in  the 
word  of  a  Stuart  came  forward  and  were 
promptly  executed  or  imprisoned.  These  two 
were  wiser,  and  lost  no  time  in  fleeing  the 
country.  It  seems  quite  important  now  that 
they  be  found  and  murdered,  for  one  of  them 
stood  so  high  as  to  be  thought  of  by  the  Puri- 
tans as  a  possible  successor  to  Cromwell." 

"  Oh.  that  these  terrible  things  need  hap- 
pen! "  said  the  mistress  with  a  sigh.  "  Can 
they  not  be  stopped  in  some  way  ? ' ' 

"  I  heartily  wish  they  might,"  replied  the 
minister  gravely,  "but  so  long  as  men  are 
weak  and  selfish,  just  so  long  will  there  be 
trouble  on  earth.  The  death  of  the  king's 
father  was  a  cruel  necessity  to  many  minds, 
but  right  or  wrong,  the  men  who  decreed  it 
were  the  saviors  of  England.  The  present 
generation  may  not  know  it,  but  future  gen- 
erations will." 

"  Yes,  and  the  king  might  have  done  right 
just  as  well  as  wrong ;  then  we  could  have 
stayed  in  dear  old  England  instead  of  being 
driven  like  criminals  into  a  foreign  wilder- 
ness !  ' '  said  Mistress  Davenport,  with  some 
warmth. 


1 8  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  minister  smiled  at  his  wife's  vehe- 
mence, but  he  knew  the  years  of  wandering 
and  anxiety  and  heart-sickness  that  lay  be- 
hind it.  He  remembered  their  home  life  in 
I/ondon,  where  so  many  delightful  y ears  were 
spent,  where  their  boy  was  born,  and  where 
his  wife  was  happy  and  contented  amid  sur- 
roundings the  most  refined  and  congenial. 
He  remembered  his  own  school  and  college 
days,  so  dear  to  every  man's  heart,  and  the 
time  when  he,  although  one  of  the  youngest, 
was  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  popular 
preachers  in  London.  Then  the  unfortunate 
hour  when  he  was  introduced  to  the  king  as 
a  "puritan"  by  an  injudicious  friend,  the 
suspicion  that  followed,  his  persecution  by 
Archbishop  L,aud,  and  the  sudden  flight  to 
Holland.  Then  the  plan  of  his  wealthy 
friend  Eaton  to  come  to  the  virgin  coast  of 
New  England,  and  there  establish  a  republic 
whose  only  sovereign  should  be  the  King  of 
kings,  and  whose  laws  should  be  made  and 
executed  by  the  people  themselves.  Then 
the  trials  and  hardships  and  failures  of  their 
experiment  of  founding  a  government  in  a 
wilderness,  savages  without  and  malcontents 
within.  Wealth  they  had,  it  is  true  ;  but  it 


THE  REGICIDES.  19 

could  not  buy  a  balm  to  soothe  the  heart- 
ache, or  take  away  the  sting  of  ingratitude. 

Yes,  he  thought,  the  brave  little  woman 
who  had  sacrificed  so  much  for  her  family 
and  for  future  generations  could  be  pardoned 
for  thinking  what  might  have  been  if  one 
man  who  chanced  to  be  a  king  had  been  a 
little  more  considerate  of  others. 

The  minister  rose  and  took  the  family  Bible 
from  a  stand,  and  resumed  his  seat  at  the 
fireplace.  While  he  was  selecting  a  chapter, 
John  wound  the  tall  clock  and  the  matron 
laid  aside  her  work.  After  reading  the  story 
of  the  guidance  of  the  children  of  Israel 
through  the  wilderness,  and  of  the  L,ove  that 
suffered  and  died  that  sinful  man  might  live, 
each  one  kneeled,  and  the  minister  offered  a 
fervent  prayer. 

Two  hours  later  Master  Davenport  still  sat 
by  the  fireplace,  but  he  was  alone.  The 
blustering  of  the  winds  outside  and  the  roar- 
ing in  the  great  chimney  did  not  seem  to  dis- 
turb his  meditations,  though  he  occasionally 
went  to  a  window  and  peered  out  into  the 
blinding  storm.  Suddenly  there  came  a  rap 
at  the  door,  and  he  gave  a  start.  In  another 
moment  he  had  admitted  a  solitary  man  cov- 


20  THE  REGICIDES. 

ered  with  snow,  while  a  second  remained  out- 
side. 

"  Was  there  any  word,  Owantic  ?  "  asked 
the  minister,  as  the  other  started  to  move 
away. 

"  One  at  each  house,"  was  the  reply. 


III. 

The  moment  Governor  Leete  glanced  at 
the  papers  presented  by  the  snow-covered 
horseman,  he  knew  that  his  friends  had  not 
departed  a  moment  too  soon.  He  invited  his 
visitor  to  remove  his  greatcoat  and  be  seated 
at  the  fire. 

' '  Gladly  will  I  accept  thy  hospitality,  sir, 
as  will  also  my  friend  who  is  waiting  outside, ' ' 
said  the  stranger.  "  Methinks  he  is  more 
nearly  frozen  than  myself. ' ' 

The  governor  called  his  man  and  bade  him 
take  care  of  the  horses,  while  he  personally 
attended  to  the  comfort  of  his  guests.  A  gen- 
erous draught  from  the  decanter  and  a  cozy 
seat  in  front  of  the  blazing  logs  soon  thawed 
them  out. 

The  spokesman  appeared  to  be  about  forty 
years  old,  rather  tall  and  strongly  built,  and 


THE  REGICIDES.  21 

with  a  peculiar  air  about  him  which  unmis- 
takably bespoke  the  trader.  His  hungry  eyes 
indexed  a  nature  at  once  grasping  and  insa- 
tiable, and  it  would  be  perfectly  safe  to  as- 
sume that  should  he  suddenly  inherit  the  uni- 
verse he  would  spend  the  rest  of  eternity  in  a 
feverish  anxiety  lest  a  planet  explode  and 
thereby  leave  him  so  much  poorer.  There 
was  a  metallic  sound  to  his  voice  that  seemed 
to  have  been  caught  by  instinctively  imitat- 
ing the  clink  of  coin.  He  introduced  himself 
as  Thomas  Kellond,  merchant,  recently  from 
England.  The  papers  which  he  displayed 
showed  that  he  was  commissioned  by  the 
governor  of  Massachusetts,  under  a  warrant 
from  King  Charles  the  Second,  to  arrest  two 
fugitives  from  England  named  Edward  Whal- 
ley  and  William  Goffe,  who  were  supposed  to 
be  hiding  somewhere  within  the  limits  of  the 
colony. 

His  companion  he  introduced  as  Thomas 
Kirke,  merchant  also,  and  jointly  commis- 
sioned with  himself  as  an  officer  of  the  king. 
Kirke  was  about  five  years  younger  than  the 
other,  somewhat  under  the  medium  height, 
and  inclined  to  stoutness.  His  face  was  as 
good-natured  as  that  of  Kellond  was  forbid- 
ding. Still,  there  was  a  look  of  shrewdness 


22  THE  REGICIDES. 

about  him  which  showed  that  he  was  capable 
of  taking  care  of  himself. 

"  What  success  dost  thou  think  we  will 
have  ?  "  inquired  Kellond,  as  soon  as  he  was 
comfortably  disposed  in  a  broad  arm-chair. 

"  I  cannot  give  much  encouragement,"  said 
the  governor  guardedly.  "  Heard  you  any 
rumors  concerning  their  whereabouts  ?  ' ' 

"Nothing  definite.  We  traced  them  to 
Springfield  from  Boston,  and  thence  to  Hart- 
ford, where  they  spent  some  time  with  Gov- 
ernor Winthrop.  It  appears  that  the  gover- 
nor was  not  aware  that  his  guests  were  fugi- 
tives, or  he  might  not  have  been  so  hospitably 
inclined.  From  Hartford  they  announced  it 
as  their  intention  to  proceed  southward,  so 
we  naturally  infer  them  to  be  within  this 
jurisdiction.  At  any  rate,  our  papers  were 
made  to  cover  every  colony  in  New  England." 

"  I  much  doubt  whether  thou  wilt  find 
them  in  these  parts,"  said  Governor  L,eete, 
without  explaining  why. 

"  We  were  told  in  Hartford  that  they  most 
probably  would  stop  in  this  colony,  where 
they  could  easity  step  over  into  New  Amster- 
dam should  occasion  require,"  continued  Kel- 
lond. "  Think  you  it  would  be  worth  while 
to  search  here  in  Guilford  first,  or  would  we 


THE  REGICIDES.  23 

do  better  to  proceed  at  once  to  New  Haven  ?  ' ' 

The  governor  was  a  deliberate  man,  and  he 
thought  for  some  minutes  before  answering. 

"  In  a  matter  of  this  importance — to  you — 
it  might  be  well  to  begin  here  and  make  thor- 
ough work  of  it,"  he  said  at  length.  "  I  will 
render  every  assistance  in  my  power  to  search 
the  town.  Come  around  in  the  morning,  and 
I  will  take  pleasure  in  examining  thy  papers 
more  carefully  than  I  can  do  to-night.  We 
colonists  keep  early  hours,  but  by  rising  at 
daylight  we  make  long  days." 

Notwithstanding  this  gentle  hint,  the  offi- 
cers sat  for  another  half  hour  in  front  of  the 
fireplace.  Finally,  after  taking  another  drink 
from  the  enticing  decanter,  they  requested 
that  their  horses  might  be  brought.  The 
governor  summoned  his  manservant  and  or- 
dered them  to  be  led  around. 

' '  At  what  hour  in  the  morning  ?  ' '  asked 
Kellond,  as  they  stood  in  the  doorway. 

"  Ten,  if  you  please,"  replied  the  governor. 

The  strangers  mounted  and  picked  their 
way  slowly  through  the  blinding  snow  toward 
the  village  tavern. 


-4  THE  REGICIDES. 

IV. 

A  heavy  snow  storm  in  a  New  England 
country  town  was  an  event  which  called  out 
the  combined  efforts  of  the  population  as  fully 
as  did  a  fire,  or  an  expected  onslaught  from 
the  Indians.  The  next  morning  at  sunrise 
one  looking  from  a  front  window  of  almost 
any  residence  on  the  main  street  in  Guilford 
would  have  seen  a  vast  plain  of  snow,  broken 
only  by  trees  and  buildings  and  fences.  The 
smoke  was  curling  gracefully  upward  from  a 
score  of  stone  chimneys,  for  not  a  breath  re- 
mained of  the  wind  that  blew  so  furiously  the 
night  before.  Presently  a  door  opened,  and 
a  man  bareheaded  and  bespectacled  stood  for 
a  moment  and  surveyed  the  landscape,  then 
retired.  In  a  twinkling  he  returned  with  his 
hat  on  his  head  and  a  broad  shovel  in  his 
heavily  mittened  hands.  He  attacked  the 
huge  drift  with  all  the  vigor  of  early  morning, 
and  soon  had  the  steps  cleared.  Only  his 
head  and  shoulders  could  be  seen  as  he 
straightened  up  and  deposited  a  shovelful  of 
snow,  and  as  he  pressed  onward  toward  the 
road  his  bobbing  head  and  regularly  appearing 
shovel  were  all  that  could  be  seen.  A  glance 
up  the  street  a  little  later  revealed  a  dozen 
bobbing  heads  and  flying  shovels.  Now  and 


THE  REGICIDES.  25 

then  a  worker  would.pause  to  catch  his  breath 
and  shout  across  the  drift  to  his  neighbor. 

Governor  L,eete  came  to  his  door,  adjusted 
his  glasses  and  cast  an  anxious  look  in  the 
direction  of  the  tavern.  Nobody  seemed  to 
be  stirring  there  except  the  stableman,  and, 
judging  from  the  thin  line  of  smoke  that 
struggled  upward  from  the  chimney,  the 
kitchen  maid.  The  governor  seemed  satisfi- 
ed, and  disappeared.  But  what  was  this 
savory  odor  that  came  stealing  out  from  some- 
body's kitchen  door?  Bacon  and  eggs? 
Yes,  this  surely  was  New  England  !  Coffee, 
too  ?  Alas  !  no  ;  for  that  grateful  morning 
beverage  had  not  yet  found  its  way  to  this  re- 
mote corner  of  the  earth. 

At  breakfast  the  governor  appeared  to  be 
preoccupied.  Mistress  I^cete  asked  him  for  a 
second  serving  of  bacon,  and  he  passed  her 
the  salt !  His  wits  were  certainly  wool- 
gathering. Bacon  was  salt,  beyond  question, 
but  nobody  would  pretend  that  salt  was  ba- 
con. What  was  the  matter  with  the  gover- 
nor ?  He  was  a  robust  and  active  man,  yet 
he  played  with  his  plate  like  an  invalid.  He 
breathed  a  sigh  of  relief  when  the  repast  was 
over.  But  there  was  one  service  which  he 
did  not  neglect.  He  reached  for  the  family 


26  THE  REGICIDES. 

Bible,  while  each  person  moved  a  little  back 
from  the  table.  He  selected  a  chapter. 

' '  Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do 
unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

Was  there  anything  else  in  the  whole  chap- 
ter ?  If  so,  the  governor  did  not  see  it.  He 
reverently  closed  the  book,  his  lips  involunta- 
rily repeating  the  words.  Then  all  knelt  at 
their  chairs  and  the  morning  prayer~was  offer- 
ed, a  prayer  of  thanksgiving,  a  prayer  for 
guidance,  for  wisdom  and  for  help.  The  gov- 
ernor rose  from  his  knees  with  a  more  cheer- 
ful light  on  his  face.  His  mind  was  evident- 
ly made  up.  His  doubts  about  something  or 
other  had  been  dispelled.  He  went  to  his 
office  across  the  hall  muttering,  half  aloud, 
' '  Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do 
unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them." 

Half  an  hour  later  there  was  a  strange 
sound  in  the  street,  something  quite  unusual 
for  a  quiet  country  village.  Then  a  curious 
looking  caravan  came  in  sight.  First  a 
small  army  of  shovelers,  followed  by  a  dozen 
yoke  of  sturdy  oxen.  The  shovelers  were 
working  with  a  will,  and  soon  there  was  a 
high  ridge  of  snow  on  either  side  of  the  road. 
Then  came  the  oxen,  encouraged  by  mingled 
sounds  of  "gee,"  "haw"  and  "get  up," 


THE  REGICIDES.  27 

drawing  a  heavy  wooden  sled  which  was 
weighted  down  by  a  load  of  laughing  and 
shouting  children.  The  procession  moved 
slowly  down  the  street,  the  trampling  feet  of 
the  oxen  leaving  behind  a  fairly  well  beaten 
road,  while  the  runners  of  the  sled  marked 
two  hard  and  well-defined  runs,  several 
inches  wide. 

By  half  past  nine  the  village  streets  were 
thoroughly  broken,  and  the  company  of 
workers  were  invited  to  assemble  in  front  of 
the  governor's  house.  Governor  I/eete  stood 
on  the  doorstep,  and  in  a  few  sober  and  dig- 
nified sentences  commended  his  fellow  towns- 
men for  their  industry  and  public  spirit,  and 
exhorted  them  and  their  children  to  remem- 
ber and  cherish  the  principles  which  had 
brought  them  hither  to  help  found  a  republic 
in  the  wilderness.  He  then  bade  them  enter 
the  large  kitchen,  where  they  found  the 
tables  liberally  spread  with  cakes  and  home- 
brewed ale. 

When  the  company  had  finished  eating  and 
drinking,  and  were  filing  out  the  door,  the 
governor  requested  Jonathan  Meigs  and 
David  Thompson,  neighboring  planters,  to 
remain  behind. 


28  THE  REGICIDES. 

At  precisely  ten  o'clock  the  two  officers 
arrived  and  were  ushered  into  the  office. 

"Pray  be  seated,  gentlemen,  and  I  will 
examine  your  papers  at  once,"  said  the  gov- 
ernor courteously.  ' '  I  was  discussing  a 
little  matter  of  business  with  my  neighbors," 
with  a  nod  towards  Meigs  and  Thompson. 
He  sat  down  by  the  window  to  get  a  good 
light,  and  proceeded  to  read  the  papers 
slowly,  and  in  a  tone  that  could  be  heard 
about  the  room  : 

"  To  our  trusty  and  well-beloved,  the  present  Gover- 
nor or  other  magistrate  or  magistrates  of  our 
plantation  of  New  England. 
CHARGES  R. 

Trusty  and  well-beloved,  wee  greete  you  well. 
Wee  being  given  to  understand  that  Colonell  Whal- 
ley  and  Colonell  Goffe,  who  stand  here  convicted 
for  the  execrable  murther  of  our  Royall  Father  of 
glorious  memory,  are  lately  arrived  in  New  Eng- 
land, where  they  hope  to  shroud  themselves 
securely  from  our  laws ;  our  will  and  pleasure  is, 
and  we  do  hereby  expressly  require  and  command 
you  forthwith,  upon  the  receipt  of  these  our  let- 
ters, to  cause  both  the  said  persons  to  be  appre- 
hended—" 

"Ahem!"  said  Kellond,  glancing  ner- 
vously toward  the  two  planters,  who  could 
hear  every  word,  "would  his  honor  please 


THE  REGICIDES.  29 

not  read  so  loud?  It  is  convenient  to  be 
more  private  in  such  concernments  as  these. 

"  I  ask  your  pardon,"  said  the  governor, 
"but  it  is  an  old  habit,  and  I  forget."  He 
then  continued  in  a  more  subdued  but  still 
distinctly  audible  voice  to  decipher  the 
clumsy  warrant : 

"and  with  the  first  opportunity  sent  over  hither 
under  a  strict  care,  to  receive  according  to  their 
demerits.  Wee  are  confident  of  your  readiness  and 
diligence  to  perform  your  duty ;  and  so  bid  you 
farewell. 

Given  at  our  Court  at  Whitehall,  the  5th  of 
March,  1660-1. 

By  his  Majesty's  command, 

EDW.  NICHOLAS." 

When  the  governor  had  finished  he  took 
off  his  spectacles  and  looked  enquiringly  at 
the  officers.  Kellond  seemed  ready  to  fly 
apart  for  nervousness.  The  two  planters, 
noting  the  fact  that  their  presence  was  caus- 
ing some  embarrassment,  exchanged  glances 
with  the  governor  and  withdrew. 

' '  Return  in  half  an  hour, ' '  said  the  gover- 
nor, as  they  were  leaving,  ' '  and  I  will  be 
through."  Then  turning  to  the  officers  he 


30  THE  REGICIDES. 

said,  "Just  what  service  am  I  expected  to 
render  in  this  matter  ?  ' ' 

' 4  We  desire  a  warrant  to  search  every 
house  in  New  Haven  colony,"  said  Kellond. 
"  If  our  information  be  true,  the  two  colonels 
are  somewhere  within  its  limits." 

"  In  a  matter  of  this  importance,"  replied 
Governor  I,eete  thoughtfully,  "  I  must  take  a 
little  time  to  examine  the  papers.  The  war- 
rant which  you  have  handed  me  cannot  be 
acted  upon  without  some  deliberation.  Note 
how  it  reads  :  '  To  our  trusty  and  well  beloved, 
the  present  governor  or  other  magistrate  or 
magistrates  of  our  plantation  of  New  Eng- 
land.' Strictly  construed,  that  warrant  gives 
me  no  authority  to  act.  This  colony  is  not 
known  as  '  The  Plantation  of  New  England.' 
It  has  never  borne  that  title,  and,  so  far  as  I 
know,  has  never  been  called  such.  Were  I 
to  act  hastily  in  a  matter  of  this  importance, 
grave  consequences  might  follow  to  you  as 
well  as  to  myself.  Come  in  at  three  o'clock, 
and  I  will  have  decided  what  to  do." 

The  officers  were  greatly  exasperated  at  the 
prospect  of  delay,  for  their  expedition  was 
one  of  pure  speculation.  Were  they 'in  the 
end  successful,  a  substantial  grant  of  land  in 
Massachusetts,  and  a  large  sum  of  money, 


THE  REGICIDES.  31 

would  be  their  reward.  If  they  failed,  they 
were  to  expect  nothing.  They  walked  slowly 
over  to  the  inn,  and  entered  the  tap-room. 
Here  they  found  a  dozen  or  more  townsmen 
gathered  out  of  curiosity  to  see  what  was 
afoot.  Meigs  and  Thompson  had  reported,  a 
few  minutes  before,  that  the  two  strangers 
were  the  king's  officers,  and  were  hot  on  the 
track  of  Colonels  Whalley  and  Goffe,  two 
fugitives  from  England,  on  whose  heads  the 
king  had  set  a  price. 

Among  those  who  had  come  to  see  the  offi- 
cers was  Daniel  Brockton,  a  busybody  who 
found  an  occasional  exercise  for  his  prying 
instincts  in  filling  the  office  of  constable.  He 
was  a  natural-born  man-hunter,  and  would 
pursue  his  game,  be  it  large  or  small,  with  all 
the  zeal  of  a  hound  on  the  trail  of  a  fox.  It 
mattered  not  whether  it  were  a  wee  tot  who 
had  reached  through  a  garden  fence  and 
innocently  plucked  a  flower,  or  a  man  who 
had  defrauded  his  neighbor ;  he  would  march 
the  child  screaming  through  the  streets  with 
as  much  satisfaction  and  pomposity  as  he 
would  the  man.  He  was  suspicious  of  every- 
body, and  there  was  not  a  boy  in  town  but 
had  had  his  turn  at  being  accused  of  some- 
thing or  other  by  Brockton. 


32  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  I  can  tell  ye  where  they  be,"  said  Brock- 
ton, accosting  the  strangers  as  they  entered 
the  tavern.  "  Thy  men  are  not  in  this  town. 
Ye  will  have  to  look  further. ' ' 

"How  is  this,  my  good  man?"  said  Kel- 
lond,  wondering  what  had  suddenly  appeared 
before  him.  "  Dost  thou  know  anything 
about  it?" 

"Ay,  that  I  do, "replied  Brockton,  rub- 
bing his  hands  in  expectation.  ' '  I  can  put 
ye  on  their  track,  and  that  right  soon." 

"  Well,  that  is  what  we  want,"  said  Kirke. 
"  We  have  come  all  the  way  from  Boston 
town  to  meet  the  man  who  could  do  that. ' ' 

Brockton  surveyed  for  a  moment  his  towns- 
men in  the  room  with  the  air  of  a  man  who 
knows  a  great  deal  more  than  any  of  them 
could  possibly  hope  to  know,  were  they  to 
live  ever  so  long,  then  called  the  officers  to 
one  side. 

4 '  There  is  no  doubt  that  ye  want  to  know 
where  they  be  ?  "  he  whispered  when  they 
were  across  the  room.  "What  I  know  I 
know,  and  what  I  know  is  no  man's  business. 
Would  it  be  worth  anything  to  ye  to  know 
what  I  know  ?  ' ' 

"  Certes  it  would,"  said  Kellond,  eagerly, 
seeing  a  possible  chance  to  make  the  expedi- 


THE  REGICIDES.  33 

tion  a  short  and  successful  one.  "  But  give 
us  the  information  that  leads  to  the  apprehen- 
sion of  these  colonels,  and  thou  hast  the  word 
of  two  honest  men  that  thy  reward  will  be 
handsome.  Is  that  not  right,  Kirke  ?  " 

"Truly,"  replied  Kirke.  "We  want  to 
make  quick  work  of  this,  and  if  thou  savest 
time  for  us  thou  wilt  not  be  sorry.  Now, 
what  hast  thou  to  say  ?  ' ' 

Brockton  glanced  toward  the  other  end  of 
the  tap-room,  and  deeming  his  thoughts  of  too 
much  importance  to  be  uttered  there,  took 
Kellond  outside. 

"  The  men  ye  look  for  are  in  New  Haven," 
he  whispered.  "If  ye  go  quick  ye  will  find 
one  at  Parson  Davenport's  and  the  other 
across  the  way  at  William  Jones'.  Jones' 
father  was  one  of  them  as  had  his  head  cut  off 
over  there  for  a-signin'  his  name  to  that 
death  warrant.  Now  ye  know  it.  Do  ye  not 
waste  any  time  !  ' ' 

' '  But  Governor  Leete  thinks  we  will  not 
find  them  in  the  colony,"  said  Kellond,  eyeing 
Brockton  suspiciously.  "  Look  thee  here, 
my  good  man,  we  want  no  fooling  in  this 
matter.  Do  ye  but  play  us  false, — perchance 
thou  knowestthe  consequences, — well,  do  not 
do  it,  that  is  all.  It  would  not  be  prudent." 


34  THE  REGICIDES. 

Kellond  laid  his  hand  upon  his  weapon  in 
a  manner  that  conveyed  a  strong  hint  to  the 
informer. 

"  I  know  what  I  know,"  reiterated  Brock- 
ton, moving  a  little  further  away.  "  I  tell  ye 
they  are  there,  and  without  all  question 
Deputy  Leete  knows  as  much,  let  him  say 
what  he  likes  ! ' ' 

Brockton  seemed  positive.  Was  the  gov- 
ernor playing  them  false  ?  Was  he  like  the 
other  Puritans,  in  sympathy  with  these  regi- 
cides ?  They  looked  at  Brockton  a  minute, 
then  withdrew  and  consulted.  As  a  result 
they  hastened  across  to  Governor  Leete 's 
house. 

"  May  it  please  your  honor, "  said  Kellond, 
as  soon  as  they  had  entered  the  office,  "  we 
learn  that  the  fugitives  are  at  this  very 
moment  concealed  in  two  certain  houses  which 
have  been  named  to  us.  We  are  obliged  to 
ask  that  thou  wilt  furnish  us  with  two  fresh 
horses  and  a  warrant  without  delay." 

"  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  supply 
two  fleet  horses,"  replied  the  governor,  affa- 
bly, "  but  I  am  in  so  much  doubt  about  the 
warrant  that  I  must  decline  to  grant  it  until  I 
can  consult  with  one  or  more  of  the  magis- 


THE  REGICIDES.  35 

trates.  Forget  not  that  I  am  responsible  to 
the  people  of  this  colony,  and  it  will  not  do  to 
move  hastily.  Were  thy  warrant  from  the 
king  directed  to  me  in  unmistakable  terms,  I 
should  obey  it  without  a  moment's  hesitation. 
Coming  in  the  form  it  does,  I  know  not 
whether  it  is  directed  to  me  at  all,  and  thou 
wilt  bear  witness  that  it  is  my  duty  to  move 
with  caution." 

"  But  they  may  get  warning  and  make 
their  escape  !  ' '  cried  the  officer,  in  consterna- 
tion. 

"  It  is  always  prudent,  in  matters  of  impor- 
tance, to  have  papers  that  are  not  defective," 
said  the  governor  calmly.  "  If  a  soldier  uses 
poor  weapons  he  hath  little  cause  to  complain 
that  he  cannot  hit  the  enemy.  I  do  not  see 
as  the  fault  is  anything  but  a  misfortune  on 
thy  part." 

"  But  the  magistrates,  can  your  honor  not 
see  them  immediately,  so  we  may  act  before  it 
is  too  late  ?  ' ' 

' '  It  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  consult  with 
Master  Gilbert  at  New  Haven,  a  man  of  great 
wisdom  and  probity.  To-day  is  Saturday, 
and  it  will  be  impossible,  owing  to  the  state  of 
my  engagements,  to  go  hither  before  Mon- 
day." 


36  THE  REGICIDES. 

Kellond  was  furious,  but  lie  dare  not  betray 
his  feelings  in  the  presence  of  the  governor. 
The  birds  in  the  bush  were  almost  as  good  as 
in  the  hand,  and  he  was  powerless  to  reach 
forth  and  grasp  them. 

"  I  prithee,  let  us  have  the  horses,  your 
honor, "cried  Kellond,  desperately,  "and  we 
will  go  to  New  Haven  on  our  own  responsi- 
bility. We  will  bring  the  magistrate  to  thee 
this  very  afternoon." 

The  governor  shook  his  head. 

' '  I  would  not  wish  to  show  Master  Gilbert 
that  discourtesy, ' '  he  replied.  "  It  is  my  duty 
to  go  and  see  him  if  I  wish  to  consult  him. 
I  must  again  remind  you,  gentlemen,  that 
defective  papers  always  occasion  delays. 
Suppose  I  were  to  accept  the  responsibility, 
and  grant  a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  these 
men  without  taking  proper  counsel  ?  A  judge 
would  release  them  in  a  moment  on  the  ground 
that  they  were  illegally  held." 

"  No  judge  who  was  satisfied  with  the  fit  of 
his  head  upon  his  shoulders  would  dare  dis- 
charge them  !  ' '  exclaimed  Kirke  with  some 
warmth.  "This  mandate  is  from  the  king 
himself,  and  in  such  a  concernment  it  is  not 
well  to  split  hairs  !  " 

"Gentlemen,"  said  the  governor  with 
dignity,  ' '  you  have  my  decision.  As  soon  as 


THE  REGICIDES.  Z7 

this  business  can  be  arranged  you  shall  know 
the  result  without  delay.  Until  then,  I  can 
see  no  use  in  further  debating." 

The  officers  were  completely  discomfitted, 
and  there  was  nothing  left  but  to  withdraw 
and  seek  what  consolation  they  might  from 
the  Brocktonian  fountain. 

The  constable  was  waiting  in  front  of  the 
tavern.  He  had  in  the  meantime  been  nar- 
rating, with  much  pomposity,  the  fact  that 
he  had  been  employed  by  the  messengers 
of  the  king  as  a  special  agent  to  assist  in 
capturing  the  fugitives.  Kellond  related  to 
him  the  result  of  the  gubernatorial  interview. 

"Just  what  I  told  ye  !  "  exclaimed  Brock- 
ton. ' '  I  know  a  thing  or  two  about  this 
business !  Deputy  L,eete  wants  'em  to  get 
away." 

"  Ssh  !  "  said  Kirke,  looking  at  the  heads 
crowded  against  the  tap-room  window.  "  Let 
us  keep  our  business  to  ourselves.  What 
think  ye,  Brockton,  had  we  better  not  take 
the  horses  and  go  to  New  Haven  without  the 
warrant?  Perchance  we  may  apprehend 
them  suddenly,  then  we  can  hold  them  until 
the  governor  decides." 

"Ah,  that  would  not  do,"  said  Brockton, 
with  a  self-satisfied  grin.  "They  would 
arrest  ye  for  Sabbath-breaking  for  anything 


38  777,2:  REGICIDES. 

ye  did  between  sundown  to-night  and  the 
same  hour  on  the  morrow,  and  then  the  colo- 
nels might  go  to  kingdom-come  for  all  ye 
could  stop  'em !  Your  ankles  would  feel 
lame  a-restin'  in  the  stocks,  and  your  minds 
would  be  uneasy  as  ye  sat  there  and  saw  the 
colonels  a-mockin'  of  ye.  Ye  see  I  know  a 
thing  or  two  about  law." 

This  seemed  to  be  the  last  straw.  The 
officers  raved  and  swore  as  they  walked 
toward  the  tap-room.  There  they  at  once 
proceeded  to  drown  their  sorrows  in  a  mug 
of  good  old  New  England  flip. 

Brockton  was  the  only  cool  member  of  the 
trio.  Even  his  mug  of  flip  failed  to  excite 
him.  It  seemed  rather  to  increase  his  self- 
control.  He  planted  himself  in  front  of  the 
open  fireplace,  and  was  soon  lost  in  medita- 
tion. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  he  learned  that  there 
was  an  Indian  of  the  town  missing,  Owanuc 
by  name.  Nobody  knew  what  had  become 
of  him.  Brockton  felt  certain  that  he  had 
gone  to  New  Haven,  and  therefore  allowed 
himself  no  anxiety  on  the  subject.  He  re- 
gretted it,  but  could  not  help  it.  But  the 
announcement  sent  the  two  officers  flying  for 
more  flip.  An  hour  later  came  the  more  im- 


THE  REGICIDES.  39 

portant  tidings  that  Jonathan  Meigs  was  pre- 
paring to  go  to  New  Haven  Sunday  evening. 
At  tliis  Kellond  and  Kirke  rushed  over  to 
Governor  I,eete's  and  begged  him  to  prevent 
Meigs'  going. 

"  Master  Meigs  hath  the  right  to  go  where 
he  pleaseth,"  said  the  governor,  "  so  long  as 
he  obeys  the  laws." 

"But  he  will  certainly  give  information 
that  we  are  here,  and  all  our  plans  will  come 
to  naught,"  exclaimed  Kellond,  in  despera- 
tion. ' '  We  shall  be  ruined  !  I  pray  thee 
call  him  here  and  learn  the  nature  of  his  bus- 
iness." 

"  Hath  Goodman  Meigs  committed  any 
misdemeanor  by  which  I  would  be  justified 
in  arresting  him  ?  ' ' 

' '  None  that  we  know  of,  but  if  your  honor 
would  please  to  call  him,  and  caution  him  not 
to  say  aught  that  will  give  any  warning." 

"  That  I  cannot  do.  He  is  an  honest  and 
upright  man,  and  I  would  but  insult  him 
were  I  to  do  as  you  desire." 

The  governor's  attitude  did  not  please 
them,  yet  he  treated  them  now,  as  at  all  times, 
with  the  most  studied  courtesy.  They  retired 
and  held  another  consultation  with  Brockton. 
That  individual  held  that,  under  the  circum- 


40  THE  REGICIDES. 

stances,  there  was  nothing  to  do  but  wait 
until  Monday.  The  officers  were  speechless 
with  rage. 

More  flip. 

When  they  again  emerged  from  the  tavern 
the  long  shadows  lay  across  the  village  street, 
and  the  rich  sunset  flooded  the  snowy  land- 
scape with  red  and  gold.  The  farmers  were 
taking  a  final  look  at  their  barns  and  store- 
houses, and  the  boys  were  carrying  in  the 
usual  Saturday  night  supply  of  wood.  A  few 
straggling  villagers  were  hurrying  to  their 
homes.  Then  as  the  last  ray  of  the  departing 
sun  faded  from  the  treetops,  a  solemn  hush 
fell  over  all,  and  the  New  England  Sabbath 
had  besrun. 


IV. 

Sunday  morning  broke  fair  and  smiling  in 
New  Haven.  The  air  was  clear  and  crisp. 
The  market-place  showed  here  and  there  a 
track  made  in  the  snow  by  some  passing  ox- 
team  ;  but  there  was  not  a  living  thing  in 
sight  to  mar  the  quiet  of  the  scene. 

At  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square  the 
little  bridge  over  the  morass  had  been  uncov- 
ered the  afternoon  before,  and  a  path  dug,  so 


THE  REGICIDES.  41 

that  the  minister's  family  might  cross  to  the 
meeting-house  without  going  around  the 
road.  The  rising  smoke  from  an  occasional 
chimney  showed  that  many  families  were 
astir,  yet  not  even  the  rude  shutting  of  a  door 
broke  the  perfect  Sabbath  stillness.  No 
stranger  would  imagine  that  within  the  com- 
pass of  that  peaceful  Puritan  village  there 
slumbered  a  volcano  which  might  at  any 
moment  burst  forth  and  shower  ruin  and 
death  upon  more  than  one  honored  head. 

At  a  few  minutes  before  eight  o'clock  two 
men  crossed  the  bridge  at  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  the  market-place,  and  walked  slowly 
toward  the  square  wooden  meeting-house 
that  stood  near  the  center.  They  were  the 
common  drummers  for  the  town.  Not  a  word 
was  spoken  as  they  continued  their  solemn 
march.  When  they  arrived  at  the  church 
they  climbed  to  the  tower  and  stood  for  a 
moment  with  drumsticks  in  hand.  Then 
suddenly  there  rose  the  roll  of  beating  drums, 
which  continued  for  several  minutes.  As 
many  people  within  reach  of  the  sound  as 
possessed  timepieces  saw  to  it  that  they  indi- 
cated the  hour  of  eight.  Having  faithfully 
discharged  their  pious  duty,  the  drummers 
departed  as  silently  as  they  had  come. 


42  THE  REGICIDES. 

Soon  after  nine  there  appeared  from  the 
west  a  man  on  horseback,  and  behind  him, 
seated  on  a  pillion  with  a  small  boy  in  her 
lap,  rode  a  middle-aged  woman.  A  heavy 
gun  was  slung  over  the  man's  shoulder.  As 
they  approached  it  was  impossible  not  to  rec- 
ognize the  stalwart  form  and  honest  face  of 
Richard  Sperry.  They  had  ridden  four 
miles  from  the  farms  on  the  other  side  of 
West  Mountain.  They  halted  in  front  of  a 
rude  hut  of  logs  a  few  rods  front  the  meeting- 
house, and  soon  a  column  of  smoke  was  seen 
rising  from  its  stone  chimney.  In  a  short 
time  Mistress  Sperry  and  the  boy  were  warm- 
ing their  half  frozen  fingers  by  a  cozy  fire, 
and  the  horse  was  shaking  himself  comforta- 
ble at  the  opposite  end  of  the  hut. 

1 '  There  hath  been  another  Sabbath-day 
house  built  since  the  last  meeting  time," 
quoth  Master  Sperry,  as  he  stood  in  the  door- 
way and  surveyed  the  group  of  similar  huts 
that  stood  scattered  about.  "I  surely  knew 
of  but  twelve  before,  and  now  there  are  thir- 
teen, if  I  count  aright." 

"  Of  a  truth  the  colony  is  growing,"  re- 
plied the  mistress,  coming  to  see  for  herself. 
"  The  Sabbada-house  hath  been  made  large 
and  roomy,  which  betokens  a  good-sized 
family." 


THE  REGICIDES.  43 

They  returned  to  the  fire,  and  Sperry  stood 
rubbing  his  hands  before  the  cheerful  blaze. 

"Think  you  the  wraps  will  all  be  need- 
ful ?  "  he  asked,  while  his  wife  busied  herself 
with  sorting  and  folding  the  various  extra 
clothing  that  had  been  worn  in  from  the 
farm.  "The  sun  shines  clear  and  bright, 
but  the  meeting-house  will  be  like  a  barn. 
Rsmember  you  must  sit  for  an  hour  and  a 
half  in  a  cold  room  without  a  fire." 

"I  will  not  need  more  than  usual,"  was 
the  resolute  reply,  ' '  but  Joseph  was  restless 
during  the  night,  and  I  shall  bundle  him  up 
well." 

While  the  Sperrys  were  thus  employed, 
others  were  arriving  on  horseback  from  the 
outlying  districts,  helping  their  wives  and 
children  down  from  the  dizzy  pillions,  and 
starting  the  fires  in  the  Sabbath-day  houses. 
By  half  past  nine  the  whole  thirteen  huts 
were  inhabited,  and  during  the  next  half 
hour  there  was  a  free  exchange  of  visits. 
The  sudden  and  fierce  snow-storm  was  per- 
haps the  chief  topic  of  conversation,  but 
there  was  a  general  flow  of  talk  upon  all  sorts 
of  subjects.  The  men  discussed  the  amount 
of  wood  they  had  cut  and  sold  during  the 
winter,  the  quality  of  the  ale  they  had 
brewed,  and  their  plans  for  the  spring  plant- 


44  THE  REGICIDES. 

ing.  The  women  were  eager  to  know  about 
each  other's  spinning  and  garment-making, 
the  herbs  that  had  been  gathered  and  what 
had  been  their  efficacy,  and  that  always 
uppermost  topic  in  the  minds  of  mothers — 
children. 

A  marked  seriousness  characterized  the 
conversation,  for  colonial  life  was  a  serious 
matter  in  those  days ;  but  there  was  an  en- 
tire absence  of  that  hypocritical  and  whining 
cant  which  is  so  often  attributed  to  the  early 
colonists.  Their  dress  was  quiet  and  sensi- 
ble. Now  and  then  a  stray  bit  of  color  would 
peep  from  under  a  maidenly  cloak,  and  a 
gray  bonnet  was  sometimes  relieved  by  a 
delicate  fringe  of  white.  Among  the  men 
there  were  a  few,  however,  who  still  clung  to 
the  peaked  and  broad-brimmed  hat,  and  som- 
bre cloak  of  the  English  Puritans. 

Their  visiting  was  suddenly  interrupted  by 
the  roll  of  the  second  drumbeat,  and  the  vil- 
lagers began  to  approach  from  all  sides  of  the 
market-place.  First  came  Mistress  Daven- 
port, accompanied  by  her  son  and  Abigail 
Pierson,  as  if  to  set  an  example  of  prompt- 
ness. The  minister  remained  behind  en- 
gaged in  prayer  until  service  time.  As  the 
family  reached  the  little  bridge  they  met  the 


THE  REGICIDES.  45 

master  of  the  watch  on  his  way  out  to  look 
after  his  men,  who  were  patrolling  the  town, 
for  it  was  never  safe  in  those  troublous  times 
for  the  people  to  assemble  and  leave  their 
homes  unprotected.  From  the  opposite  part 
of  the  village  came  Jonathan  Marston,  the 
schoolmaster,  leading  his  little  motherless 
girl  of  ten  years  by  the  hand.  She  looked 
too  delicate  to  sit  so  long  in  a  fireless  room. 
Marston  looked  melancholy,  solemn,  grim 
and  resolute.  Had  his  conscience  told  him 
to  endure  cold,  hunger,  and  even  death,  for 
his  soul's  sake,  he  would  have  done  so  with- 
out flinching.  Then  came  Goodman  Brown, 
old,  bent  and  decrepit.  He  carried  a  staff, 
and  wore  a  peaked  hat  and  gray  cloak.  His 
haggard  face  told  of  a  night  spent  in  wrest- 
ling with  some  great  theological  problem,  for 
Goodman  was  a  rigid  Calvinist,  and  spared 
not  himself  while  there  was  a  Hell  to  shun. 
Goody  Bascombe  came  from  the  east,  a  sweet- 
souled,  pious  woman,  with  traces  of  suffering 
on  her  kindly  face. 

By  a  quarter  past  ten  nearly  every  wor- 
shipper was  in  his  seat,  the  women  on  one 
side  of  the  center  aisle,  the  men  on  the  other. 
It  would  never  do  for  the  sexes  to  sit  together 
at  church.  There  might  be  an  amorous  pas- 


46  THE  REGICIDES. 

sage  taking  place  when  the  most  impor- 
tant word  of  the  whole  sermon  was  being 
spoken.  Think  of  it,  ye  who  dare  !  Salva- 
tion Brown  and  Priscilla  Jones  might  be  slyly 
clasping  hands  and  looking  ineffable  tender- 
ness into  each  other's  eyes  at  the  very 
moment  when  the  minister  was  uttering  his 
"tenthly!" 

Behind  the  pulpit  sat  the  teaching  elders, 
grave,  reverend  and  learned.  In  front  of 
them  sat  the  ruling  elder.  In  front  of  him 
sat  Deacon  Peck  and  his  fellow  deacons. 
The  remainder  of  the  congregation  was  seated 
according  to  social  rank,  the  front  seats  on 
either  side  being  assigned  to  the  worshipful 
governor  and  his  famity.  Those  unfortunates 
whose  station  in  life  did  not  entitle  them  to 
be  called  goodman  or  goodwife  sat  as  they 
might  near  the  door.  Thus  were  the  poor  in 
purse  and  the  humble  in  station  left  to  reflect 
on  the  class  distinctions  that  were  made  in 
the  name  of  the  Carpenter's  Son. 

At  precisely  half  past  ten  the  Reverend 
Master  Davenport  walked  slowly  over,  by  his 
private  path,  wearing  the  ministerial  gown 
and  bands,  and  took  his  seat  behind  the  desk. 
The  congregation  rose  and  remained  standing 
as  he  passed.  He  removed  his  hat  as  he  en- 


THE  REGICIDES.  47 

tered  the  door,  and  after  reaching  the  pulpit 
donned  a  small  round  black  cap.  The  min- 
ister was  a  man  of  marked  presence.  Tall, 
slender  almost  to  emaciation,  a  pale,  student- 
like  face,  wearing  a  snow-white  moustache 
and  slight  chin-beard,  the  gift  of  real  elo- 
quence upon  his  lips,  a  subtle  personal  force 
that  defied  inattention,  a  spotless  life — it  is 
little  wonder  that  the  parish  of  Saint  Stephen 
in  London  mourned  his  loss,  and  pleaded  for 
his  return. 

As  soon  as  the  minister  had  taken  his  seat, 
the  squad  of  soldiers  on  duty  for  the  day  left 
their  post  outside,  entered  the  house  with 
martial  tread,  and  occupied  three  seats  on 
either  side  of  the  center  aisle,  near  the  door. 
Then  the  roll  of  drums  in  the  tower  ceased, 
and  the  drummers  descended  noiselessly  to 
their  seats.  For  a  few  moments  there  was  a 
-solemn  stillness  in  the  room,  broken  only  by 
the  occasional  coughing  of  the  schoolmaster's 
daughter.  Everyman's  breath  showed  white 
on  the  frosty  air,  his  ears  tingled,  his  nose 
was  red  with  the  cold,  his  feet  were  like  cakes 
of  ice  ;  yet  for  an  hour  and  a  half  he  was  to 
stoically  endure  all  for  his  soul's  sake. 

The  minister  rose  and  prayed  earnestly  for 
a  few  minutes,  while  the  congregation  stood 


48  THE  REGICIDES. 

with  bowed  heads.  Then  all  remained  stand- 
ing during  the  reading  of  the  scripture  by  the 
ruling  elder.  Following  this,  a  psalm  was 
sung,  each  stanza  being  first  dictated*  by  the 
elder.  These  exercises  being  concluded,  the 
minister  read  the  bills,  or  notices.  First  he 
read  the  bans  of  Godfear  Ailing  and  Humility 
Punderson,  and  demanded  to  know  if  any 
man  had  aught  to  say  why  these  two  should 
not  be  made  one.  Then  a  bill  for  prayers  on 
behalf  of  sundry  persons  about  to  take  a  long 
sea  voyage.  Goodwife  Chapman  desired 
prayers  to  aid  her  in  a  speedy  recovery  from 
the  effects  of  a  broken  limb.  Goodman 
Thomas  returned  thanks — per  bill — that  he 
had  enjoyed  a  successful  business  trip  to  Bos- 
ton. 

The  reading  of  the  bills  being  concluded, 
the  people  rose  and  remained  standing  while 
the  minister  announced  the  following  text : 
"Hide  the  outcasts,  bewray  not  him  that 
wandereth  :  let  mine  outcasts  dwell  with  thee, 
Moab  ;  be  thou  a  covert  to  them  from  the  face 
of  the  spoiler." 

The  Reverend  John  Davenport  was  never 
more  earnest  than  upon  that  day.  For  more 
than  an  hour  he  talked,  and  as  he  talked  the 


*  Sometimes  called  "  lining:  "  and  "  deaconing." 


THE  REGICIDES.  49 

tears  ran  down  his  face,  though  he  was  far 
from  being  an  emotional  man.  There  seemed 
to  be  an  agony  in  his  soul  as  he  pleaded,  in 
Christ's  name,  for  those  who  were  outcasts 
and  exiles  for  conscience's  sake.  "  Brethren," 
he  began,  "  it  is  a  weighty  matter  to  read  let- 
ters and  receive  intelligence  in  them  concern- 
ing the  state  of  the  churches.  You  need  to 
lift  up  your  hearts  to  God,  when  3-011  are 
about  to  read  your  letters  from  our  native 
country,  to  give  you  wisdom  and  hearts  duly 
affected,  that  you  may  receive  such  intelli- 
gence as  you  ought ;  for  God  looks  upon 
every  man,  in  such  cases,  with  a  jealous  eye, 
observing  with  what  workings  of  bowels  they 
read  or  speak  of  the  concernments  of  his 
church.  *  *  *  *  The  Christian  Hebrews 
are  exhorted  to  call  to  remembrance  the  for- 
mer days  in  which,  after  they  were  illumi- 
nated, they  endured  a  great  fight  of  afflic- 
tions, partly  whilst  they  were  made  a  gazing 
stock  both  by  reproaches  and  afflictions,  and 
partly  whilst  they  became  companions  of  them 
that  were  so  used.  Let  us  do  likewise,  and 
own  the  reproached  and  persecuted  people 
and  cause  of  Christ  in  suffering  times. 

"Withhold  not  countenance,  entertainment, 
and  protection  from  such,  if  they  come  to  us 


50  THE  REGICIDES. 

from  other  countries,  as  from  France,  or  Eng- 
land, or  any  other  place.  Be  not  forgetful  to 
entertain  strangers,  for  thereby  some  have 
entertained  angels  unawares. 

"  Remember  them  that  are  in  bonds,  as 
bound  with  them,  and  them  who  suffer  adver- 
sity, as  being  yourselves  also  in  the  body. 
The  I,ord  required  this  of  Moab,  saying, 
'  Make  thy  shadow  as  the  night  in  the  midst 
of  the  noonday  ' — that  is,  provide  safe  and 
comfortable  shelter  and  refreshment  for  my 
people  in  the  heat  of  persecution  and  opposi- 
tion raised  against  them  ;— '  hide  the  outcasts, 
bewray  not  him  that  wandereth  :  let  mine  out- 
casts dwell  with  thee,  Moab ;  be  thou  a  covert 
to  them  from  the  face  of  the  spoiler.'  Is  it 
objected,  but  so  I  may  expose  myself  to  be 
spoiled  or  troubled  ?  He,  therefore,  to  remove 
this  objection,  addeth,  '  For  the  danger  is  at 
an  end,  the  spoiler  ceaseth ;  the  tread ers  down 
are  consumed  out  of  the  land.'  While  we 
are  attending  to  our  duty  in  owning  and  har- 
boring Christ's  witnesses,  Cod  will  be  provid- 
ing for  their  and  our  safety,  by  destrojdng 
those  that  would  destroy  his  people."  * 

When  the  minister  sat  down  and  covered 
his  face  with  his  hands,  there  were   many 


*See  Appendix  A. 


THE  REGICIDES.  51 

moist  eyes  in  the  house.  The  kind  heart  of 
Goody  Bascombe  fairly  ached.  It  was  well 
for  her  composure  that  the  voice  of  Deacon 
Peck  soon  caught  her  attention.  The  dea- 
coii  had  risen  in  his  seat  behind  the  pulpit, 
and  in  a  firm  voice  was  saying,  "  Brethren  of 
the  congregation,  now  there  is  time  left  for 
the  contribution ;  wherefore,  as  God  hath 
prospered  you,  so  freely  offer."  Then  the 
magistrates  went  forward,  one  at  a  time,  in 
order  of  age,  and  deposited  their  contribution 
in  the  wooden  box  held  by  Deacon  Peck. 
The  rest  of  the  congregation,  according  to 
rank,  came  forward  and  gave,  some  money, 
some  small  articles  of  value,  some  a  written 
promise,  and  some  laid  more  bulky  contribu- 
tions on  the  platform  at  the  deacon's  feet. 
Then  another  psalm  was  sung,  the  minister 
invoked  a  blessing,  and  the  people  were  dis- 
missed for  the  morning. 

It  was  not  until  they  began  to  move  that 
the  worshippers  realized  how  much  they  were 
benumbed  by  the  cold.  The  villagers  and 
their  friends  hastened  at  once  to  their  homes, 
where  frozen  toes  might  be  thawed  at  huge 
fireplaces,  and  hot  beverages  would  quicken 
the  circulation.  Those  from  a  distance  re- 


52  THE  REGICIDES. 

paired  to  their  "Sabbada-housen,"  and  pro- 
ceeded to  rekindle  the  dying  embers  at  the 
foot  of  the  rude  chimneys. 

"  A  most  powerful  sermon,"  said  Richard 
Sperry,  as  he  broke  some  dry  sticks  across 
his  knee  and  cast  them  into  the  fire.  "  Mas- 
ter Davenport  is  a  man  of  large  heart.  I 
verily  believe  he  would  harbour  one  of  the 
wandering  judges  of  Charles  the  First,  and 
trust  to  God  for  the  consequences,  were  they 
to  come  in  his  way.  There  could  be  no 
higher  test  of  his  courage." 

"Yea,  methinks  he  would  do  even  more. 
He  would  shield  them  with  his  life,  did  he 
but  deem  it  his  duty,"  added  the  mistress  in 
a  tone  of  conviction. 

' '  There  could  be  no  other  way  of  shielding 
them,"  exclaimed  her  husband  quickly. 
' '  Know  ye  not  that  according  to  the  laws  of 
England  one  who  harbours  a  traitor  is  guilty 
of  high  treason  ?  ' ' 

"  And  that  means — ?  " 

"  That  his  life  pays  the  penalty  !  " 

The  cold  lunch  which  had  been  brought 
with  them  was  soon  spread  out  iipon  a  rough 
bench.  Joseph,  who  was  so  stiffened  with 
cold  and  long  sitting  in  one  position  that  he 
wished  Sunday  came  but  once  a  year  and 


THE  REGICIDES.  53 

Thanksgiving  every  week,  rallied  a  little  at 
the  sight. 

In  the  other  "Sabbada-housen "  the  ser- 
mon was  principally  discussed.  It  was 
generally  agreed  that  never  had  Master 
Davenport  spoken  with  such  feeling  and 
power. 

' '  Christ  himself  must  have  spoken  like 
that  when  he  said,  '  Whatsoever  ye  would 
that  men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so 
to  them,'  "  said  one  of  the  devout  ones. 

"Yea,"  said  another,  "the  spirit  of  the 
L,ord  was  upon  him.  It  little  excuses  us  if 
we  go  wrong  under  such  spiritual  guid- 
ance." 

' '  But  heard  ye  the  coughing  of  the  school- 
master's  little  girl?  "  enquired  a  sympathetic 
Puritan  mother.  ' '  The  poor  child  looked  so 
pitiful  as  she  sat  there  patiently  and  listened 
to  words  above  her  years.  Saw  ye  how  frail 
and  sickly  she  looked  ?  ' ' 

"  Ay,"  replied  her  companion,  "  I  fear  she 
is  not  long  for  this  world.  Her  mother  was 
young  and  delicate,  and  should  never  have 
left  London  for  these  hardships." 

"  Of  gentle  birth,  was  she  not?  " 

"It  is  so  said.  Her  heart  was  quite 
broken  at  leaving,  but  Master  Marston  said 


54  THE  REGICIDES. 

there  could  be  no  religious  liberty  in  Eng- 
land, and  she  came  with  him." 

"  No  wonder  the  child  droops,  poor  thing  ! 
Her  father  hath  no  judgment  of  women. 
His  should  be  made  of  sterner  stuff.  She 
hath  been  to  meeting  every  Sunday  this  long 
winter,  when  she  had  better  been  nursed  in 
bed  with  herb  teas." 

' '  Think  ye  not  that  we  are  too  strict  in  the 
matter  of  a  fire  in  the  meeting-house  ?  Are 
we  not  killing  these  tender  bodies  that  we 
may  save  their  souls  ?  ' ' 

"Alack,  I  know  not.  I  trow  the  seven 
pillars  of  the  church  know  what  is  best,  but 
for  my  part,  I  could  worship  just  as  sincerely 
if  the  house  were  not  so  bitter  cold." 

The  lunches  were  in  due  time  finished,  and 
there  was  another  general  spell  of  visiting 
which  continued  until  the  drumbeat  for  the 
afternoon  service.  This  was  less  formal  and 
more  lengthy  than  the  other,  consisting  prin- 
cipally of  psalm  singing  and  exhortation. 
At  its  close  the  sun  hung  low  in  the  west. 
The  villagers  eagerly  sought  their  convenient 
homes.  The  fanners  and  their  families  gath- 
ered once  more  about  the  "Sabbada-housen" 
fireplaces  and  tried  to  thaw  themselves  out. 
When  they  were  thoroughly  warmed,  the 


THE  REGICIDES.  55 

tippets  and  wraps  were  adjusted,  and  each 
man  helped  wife  and  child  to  mount  the  pil- 
lion. Then  slinging  his  gun  over  his  shoul- 
der and  climbing  to  the  saddle,  he  set  out  for 
the  distant  farm-house. 


VI. 

At  sundown  the  Puritan  Sabbath  was  at  an 
end,  and  according  to  custom,  the  good  peo- 
ple of  the  village  devoted  the  evening  to  rec- 
reation and  dignified  pleasures.  At  an  early 
hour  the  Davenports  dropped  over  to  William 
Jones',  across  the  way.  It  was  an  hospitable 
house  to  visit.  Governor  Eaton,  who  built 
it,  was  a  man  of  wealth, — the  wealthiest  of 
the  colonists, — and  his  fame  as  an  entertainer 
had  extended  as  far  as  his  name  was  known. 
It  was  one  of  the  grandest  of  the  early  colo- 
nial mansions,  large,  roomy,  and  elaborately 
furnished,  and  was  one  of  the  few  houses  in 
the  country  that  contained  a  library.  Nine- 
teen fireplaces  gave  forth  warmth  and  cheer 
to  those  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to  be  its 
guests. 

The  minister  was  unusually  weary  after  the 
taxing  labors  of  the  day.  The  arctic  temper- 
ature of  the  meeting-house  had  told  upon 


56  THE  REGICIDES. 

him  less  than  upon  those  who  were  obliged 
to  sit  motionless,  but  the  mental  strain  had 
been  severe.  In  addition  to  his  perpetual 
anxiety  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  people, 
his  feelings  had  been  wrought  to  a  high  pitch 
by  the  new  responsibility  which  he  felt  had 
been  laid  upon  him.  The  men  with  whom 
he  had  labored  in  England  for  a  free  church 
and  pure  politics  were  at  that  moment  under 
his  roof.  They  had  been  denounced  as  trai- 
tors by  the  jesting  libertine  who  had  suc- 
ceeded in  gaining  control  of  the  government, 
after  an  implied  promise  that  if  made  king  he 
would  pardon  all  political  offenders.  But 
true  to  the  creed  of  the  Stuarts,  he  had  made 
the  promise  with  the  deliberate  intention  of 
breaking  it,  and  the  hand  that  was  reached 
forth  as  if  in  friendship  was  suddenly  raised 
to  smite.  The  men  who  had  fled  for  their 
lives,  leaving  all  they  possessed  behind, 
looked  for  a  short-lived  monarclry.  They 
confidently  expected  that  the  principles  for 
which  they  fought  and  labored  would  soon 
triumph,  as  they  had  already  done  for  a  brief 
period.  One  of  them — Goffe— had  stood 
upon  the  very  threshold  of  the  English 
throne,  and,  like  the  great  Oliver,  might  per- 
haps have  had  it  for  the  asking. 


THE  REGICIDES.  57 

A  few  short  months  or  years  of  kingly  mis- 
rule, and  they  saw  before  them  the  rounding 
out  of  that  great  career  of  usefulness  and 
honor  which  had  been  suddenly  interrupted. 

In  these  men  the  minister  saw,  not  traitors, 
but  high  priests  of  heaven,  specially  ordained 
to  hasten  its  kingdom  upon  earth.  As  to  his 
duty  in  shielding  them  from  their  enemies  he 
never  had  a  doubt.  He  well  knew  that  in  so 
doing  he  was  placing  his  own  life  in  jeopardy, 
but  he  felt  that  had  he  not  done  so,  he  would 
be  a  traitor  to  his  own  soul,  and  to  a  higher 
Power  than  the  man  who  happened  to  sit 
upon  the  throne  of  England. 

It  was  with  a  sense  of  relief  that  he  drew  a 
chair  in  front  of  his  friend  Jones'  fire,  and  for 
a  time  forgot  the  weariness  and  anxiety  of  the 
day. 

Young  and  pretty  Mistress  Jones  had  been 
chatting  so  pleasantly  in  the  sitting-room 
with  the  minister's  wife  that  she  had  for- 
gotten all  about  John  and  Abigail. 

' '  Noted  you  where  they  went  ?  ' '  she  asked, 
a  little  worried  lest  she  had  neglected  her 
duty  as  a  hostess.  "They  took  off  their 
things  in  the  hall,  and  went  toward  the 
library.  Perhaps  I  should  learn  if  they  are 
comfortable.'' 


58  THE  REGICIDES. 

"Fear  not,"  replied  Mistress  Davenport, 
smiling.  ' '  John  is  old  enough  to  take  care 
of  himself,  and — ' '  she  was  about  to  say, 
"and  of  Abigail  too,"  but  thought  it  would 
not  sound  well.  So  she  added,  "and  Abigail 
is  a  great  reader  ;  she  is  most  likely  deep  in 
a  book  somewhere." 

' '  She  seems  to  be  fond  of  reading, ' '  returned 
Mistress  Jones.  ' '  What  a  pity  there  are  no 
books  in  Branfofd  !  " 

' '  That  is  why  she  is  with  us  over  the  win- 
ter, and  on  account  of  her  mother's  death. 
Master  Pierson  thought  it  best  she  should 
have  a  change,  for  the  poor  child  was  pining 
away  for  grief.  And  Master  Pierson  hath  so 
few  books  that  she  cares  for  or  could  under- 
stand." 

' '  It  must  be  good  to  have  her  with  you  in 
that  great  house.  I  should  find  the  winter 
evenings  weary  without  my  little  daughter." 

"  Ah,  yes,"  sighed  Mistress  Davenport. 
' '  I  never  had  a  daughter  of  my  own,  and  I 
dread  the  day  when  she  must  go.  She  is  as 
dear  to  the  people  here  as  she  is  to  me.  She 
never  tires  of  doing  good  deeds,  albeit  they 
are  at  times  a  little  troublesome.  Since 
Goody  Chapman  broke  her  arm  and  cannot 
do  much  about  the  house,  Abigail  goes  over 


THE  REGICIDES.  59 

and  does  her  work,  and  reads  to  her,  and 
sings  so  merrily  with  it  all  that  Goody  told 
me  yesterday  she  blessed  the  Lord  that  she 
broke  her  arm,  for  she  had  never  seen  so 
much  human  sunshine  in  all  her  life." 

Mistress  Jones  could  not  rest  until  she  had 
made  sure  the  young  folks  were  not  dying 
somewhere  of  neglect.  She  went  across  the 
hall  to  the  library.  "  Why,  Tommy  !  "  she 
exclaimed,  as  she  nearly  ran  over  her  ten- 
year-old  son  near  the  door.  ' '  How  you  scared 
your  poor  old  mother !  ' ' 

Tommy — he  was  Tommy  in  that  household, 
though  in  most  New  Haven  homes  he  would 
have  been  Thomas — kissed  his  mother's  bright 
cheeks,  and  averred  that  owing  to  her  ad- 
vanced years  he  would  be  more  careful  next 
time. 

41  Saw  you  the  Mistress  Abigail  and  Master 
John?"  she  asked,  looking  with  motherly 
fondness  into  the  clear,  honest  eyes  of  her 
son. 

"  They  were  here  but  shortly  ago,"  replied 
Tommy,  replacing  his  book  on  the  shelf  and 
taking  down  another.  "  Methinks  they  went 
toward  the  dining-room." 

But  the  dining-room  had  a  single  occupant, 
and  that  was  little  Mistress  Jones.  She  sat 


60  THE  REGICIDES. 

deep  in  a  chair,  watching  a  log  that  had 
nearly  burned  through.  It  seemed  to  be 
quite  a  problem  whether  the  two  ends  would 
finally  drop  outside  the  andirons,  or  pitch  for- 
ward into  the  bed  of  glowing  coals.  She  was 
studying  the  question  with  a  seriousness 
worthy  of  her  eight  years. 

' '  Of  what  is  my  little  Puritan  thinking  ?  ' ' 
queried  the  mother,  bending  over  the  child's 
shoulder. 

"  Only  of  the  fire,  mother,"  replied  the 
child.  "  It  seems  that  I  should  never  tire  of 
watching  it.  There  they  go  !  "  With  a  quick 
snap  the  burning  log  broke,  and  the  ends 
tumbled  inward,  scattering  the  live  coals  and 
quickening  the  blaze.  ' '  I  knew  it  must  fall 
in!  " 

The  mother  had  pressed  her  face  close 
against  her  daughter's,  when  she  heard  a 
sound  of  mingled  laughter  coming  from  the 
kitchen.  She  listened  a  minute  to  make  sure 
of  the  direction,  then  went  to  the  door.  John 
was  sitting  on  a  settle  at  one  side  of  the  fire- 
place, and  directly  opposite  on  another  sat 
Abigail.  They  manifested  few  symptoms  of 
being  in  a  state  of  dissolution  through  any- 
body's neglect.  At  that  moment,  though, 
both  were  silently  gazing  into  the  fire. 


THE  REGICIDES.  61 

"  Oh,  you  runaways!  "  said  Mistress  Jones 
with  an  air  of  mock  severity,  as  she  stood  in 
the  doorway,  "  I  have  been  looking  for  you 
from  the  top  of  the  house  to  the  bottom  !  ' ' 

' '  Too  bad  !  ' '  said  John  good  naturedly. 
1 '  Had  you  but  begun  at  the  bottom  we  might 
have  saved  you  much  climbing  of  stairs." 

The  mistress  smiled  at  her  own  exaggera- 
tion. 

"  Strange  you  should  expect  to  find  us  at 
the  top  of  the  house,"  said  Abigail  laughing. 
"It  would  not  be  half  so  romantic  as  this." 

"Hear  the  Puritan  maiden  talk  of  ro- 
mance! "  exclaimed  John.  "Mistress  Jones, 
thou  shouldst  chide  her  for  such  levity.  I 
fear  she  hath  been  reading  those  forbidden 
plays  of  Will  Shakespeare.  Father  hath  a 
copy  that  he  keeps  somewhere  out  of  sight, 
away  from  the  young  folks." 

"And  he  bids  you  read  them  not  ?  ' '  queried 
the  mistress. 

"Not  quite  so.  He  says  they  are  the  work 
of  a  true  poet,  a  great  master  of  expression, 
but  that  they  show  some  sides  of  human 
nature  that  had  best  not  be  dwelt  upon." 

"Thanks,"  said  Mistress  Jones,  as  John 
remained  standing,  "  I  will  not  sit.  I  only 


62  THE  REGICIDES. 

feared  thou  wert  neglected,  and  I  could  not 
think  of  spoiling  so  pretty  a  picture." 

They  did  make  an  interesting  picture  as 
they  sat  there  on  the  quaint  old  settles,  with 
the  firelight  playing  over  their  happy  faces. 

' '  But  wilt  thou  not  come  to  the  parlor  ?  ' ' 

' '  Are  we  needed  ?  ' ' 

' '  Nay,  but  thou  wilt  be  very  welcome. " 

John  looked  at  Abigail,  and  Abigail  looked 
at  the  fire. 

' '  Came  you  solely  on  our  account  ?  " 

"  Solely,"  with  a  little  laugh. 

' '  Then  wilt  thou  accept  our  thanks  and 
allow  us  to  remain  here  ?  ' ' 

"  Certes,  an  thou  art  comfortable." 

"  We  are  quite  resigned." 

Mistress  Jones  paused  a  moment  as  she  left 
the  kitchen,  to  look  back  at  the  picture  of 
happy  youth.  Could  it  be  true  that  but  a 
dozen  years  had  passed  since  she  had  occu- 
pied that  same  settle  on  a  certain  Sabbath 
evening  and  listened  to  a  certain  sweet 
story  ? 

The  minister  and  his  friend  had  been  sit- 
ting perhaps  an  hour  when  a  servant  an- 
nounced that  a  man  desired  to  see  Master 
Davenport  at  home  on  important  business. 
A  noticeable  paleness  settled  on  the  minister's 
face  as  he  received  the  summons.  What  it 


THE  REGICIDES.  63 

might  be  no  one  realized  more  fully  than  his 
host. 

"Send  for  me  if  needful,"  said  William 
Jones,  as  he  helped  his  friend  to  don  his 
cloak.  "  I  shall  be  in  readiness  to  respond." 

Master  Davenport  grasped  his  hand,  but 
said  not  a  word. 

"  Wilt  thou  return  ?  "  asked  Mistress  Dav- 
enport, as  he  passed  by  the  sitting-room 
door. 

"  I  think  so,"  was  the  cautious  reply,  and 
with  a  peculiar  look  at  his  wife,  such  as  one 
takes  before  going  on  a  long  journey,  he  left 
the  house  and  walked  rapidly  across  the 
Street. 

When  he  reached  his  own  door  it  was  with 
a  sigh  of  relief  that  he  recognized  a  no  more 
formidable  person  than  Jonathan  Meigs.  A 
few  hurried  words  explained  his  mission. 

"Nay,  I  must  not  be  seen,"  said  Meigs, 
in  response  to  an  invitation  to  enter  the 
house.  "I  have  notified  Master  Gilbert,  and 
he  will  soon  be  here.  Is  there  aught  that  I 
can  say  by  way  of  return  message  ?  ' ' 

"Nothing,"  replied  the  minister,  after 
thinking  a  minute.  "  Yes,  say  that  we  will 
endanger  no  one  except  ourselves  if  it  can  be 
helped." 


64  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  It  shall  be  done,"  said  Meigs  fervently, 
and  in  another  instant  he  was  gone. 

The  first  thing  the  minister  did  on  going  to 
his  study  was  to  call  his  servant  and  send  for 
Master  Jones.  He  then  dropped  into  a  chair 
and  became  absorbed  in  thought. 

"Well,  it  hath  come  at  last,"  he  said,  as 
his  friend  entered  the  room. 

"What?" 

"  Two  officers  have  arrived  at  Guilford 
with  the  king's  warrant." 

"When?" 

"  They  reached  there  late  Friday  evening, 
and  but  a  moment  after  the  others  had  left. 
It  was  a  narrow  escape." 

"  How  is  it  that  they  are  still  there  ?  " 

"Iveete  hath  managed  well.  The  warrant 
was  poorly  worded.  He  declined  to  issue  a 
special  warrant  for  this  jurisdiction  until  he 
had  consulted  with  Gilbert.  That  he  cannot 
postpone  longer  than  Monday,  which  is  to- 
morrow. It  will  have  to  be  issued.  That 
cannot  be  avoided.  So  whatever  is  done 
must  be  done  quickly." 

' '  But  Gilbert  must  not  be  here  when  he 
comes,"  said  Jones,  after  a  moment's  reflec- 
tion. "  If  he  cannot  find  Gilbert  how  can  he 
consult  with  him  ?  ' ' 


THE  REGICIDES.  65 

"  That  must  be  seen  to.  Gilbert  will  soon 
be  here.  There  is  his  step,  now." 

They  listened  a  few  seconds,  then  the  min- 
ister slipped  quietly  down  to  the  door.  He 
soon  reappeared  with  the  magistrate,  and 
made  the  case  known  to  him. 

"  It  will  pain  me  much  to  disappoint  the 
governor,"  said  Gilbert,  finally,  "but  certain 
persons  in  Fairfield  have  my  word  that  I  will 
be  with  them  by  eleven  of  the  clock  to-mor- 
row. I  must  needs  start  early  to  keep  the 
appointment." 

A  smile  of  joy  lit  up  the  minister's  troubled 
face. 

"That  means  one  more  day,"  he  said, 
"  and  in  that  time  all  may  be  saved.  In  the 
meantime  what  shall  we  do  ?  " 

"It  hath  occurred  to  me,"  said  Jones, 
"while  anticipating  just  this  condition  of 
affairs,  that  were  our  friends  to  hide  them- 
selves on  West  Mountain  they  could  safely 
defy  every  messenger  in  the  king's  service." 

"But  the  weather,"  interposed  the  minis- 
ter. "  It  is  yet  too  severe,  especially  for  Gen- 
eral Whalley.*  He  is  very  feeble  since  the 
ride  of  Friday  night." 

*  Whalley  and  Goffe  each  held  the  rank  of  major-general. 


66  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  I  had  thought  of  that,"  returned  Jones, 
"  but  the  April  sun  will  soon  be  shining,  and 
that  will  answer  for  old  campaigners,  I  feel 
sure.  Meantime,  there  is  a  fireplace  in  the 
corner  of  my  mill  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 
When  the  miller  hath  gone  for  the  night  they 
can  go  there  and  sleep.  It  will  not  be  luxu- 
rious living,  but  it  is  better  than  having  one's 
existence  entirely  cut  off." 

"  I  fear  for  the  older  man,"  said  the  minis- 
ter, whose  humane  instincts  were  far  keener 
than  those  of  self-preservation,  "yet  it  may  be 
God's  will.  What  think  you  of  the  plan, 
Master  Gilbert?" 

' '  Excellent, ' '  replied  the  magistrate.  ' '  The 
mill  hath  a  comfortable  corner,  as  I  well  know, 
for  many  a  time  have  I  stood  there  to  get 
warm  after  a  long  ride.  It  will  be  safe  if  well 
managed.  But  how  about  provisions  ?  Can 
they  be  successfully  conveyed  without  dis- 
cover;,- ?  It  seemeth  to  me  that  there  will 
rest  the  difficulty." 

"  That  can  be  arranged,"  said  Jones. 
<c  There  lives  not  a  man  of  more  discretion  in 
such  a  matter  than  Richard  Sperry.  He  is 
near  by  at  the  farms.  My  relations  with  him 
have  been  such  that  I  have  tha  greatest  con- 
fidence in  him.  We  can  give  into  his  hands 


THE  REGICIDES.  67 

a  quantity  of  provisions,  and  leave  the  deliv- 
ery to  him.  That  part  will  not  fail." 

The  plan  seemed  entirely  feasible.  Indeed, 
there  appeared  to  be  no  other  way  out  of  the 
difficulty.  Some  action  must  be  taken,  and 
that  quickly. 

' '  We  had  best  see  Goffe  and  acquaint  him 
with  the  situation,"  said  the  minister  at 
length. 

He  excused  himself  and  climbed  the  broad 
staircase  to  an  upper  chamber.  After  paus- 
ing a  moment  before  the  door,  he  gently 
rapped.  A  muffled  footstep  moved  across  the 
floor.  The  minister  gave  one  short  tap  on 
the  panel  with  his  forefinger,  and  then  another. 
The  door  was  then  quickly  opened,  and  he 
entered,  carefully  securing  the  fastenings  be- 
hind him.  The  room  was  dark,  except  for  a 
low  fire  on  the  hearth.  The  shutters  were 
tightly  closed  and  the  heavy  curtains  drawn. 
On  a  bed  in  one  corner  lay  an  old  man  sleep- 
ing. 

"  He  hath  a  great  weariness  upon  him," 
said  Goffe.  "  I  fear  his  recent  exertions  and 
exposures  have  been  too  great.  It  is  well 
that  he  was  removed  here  where  I  can  care 
for  him." 

Both  sat  down  in  front  of  the  fireplace,  and 


68  THE  REGICIDES. 

in  as  few'  words  as  possible  the  case  was 
stated.  Goffe  was  not  surprised,  nor  did  he 
seem  troubled  by  any  fear,  but  by  an  occa- 
sional glance  toward  the  bed  he  showed  where 
his  anxieties  lay.  He  heard  what  the  minis- 
ter had  to  say,  then  lapsed  into  deep  thought 
for  several  minutes. 

' '  Know  you  who  these  men  are  that  would 
arrest  us?  "  he  asked  finally. 

"  Nay,  except  that  Goodman  Meigs  judged 
them  to  be  inexperienced  in  such  matters." 

"Then  I  have  it!"  exclaimed  Goffe. 
' '  We  can  put  them  off  the  track  very  quickly. 
When  are  the  warrants  to  be  issued  ?  ' ' 

"  Not  before  Tuesday." 

"  Then  we  have  plenty  of  time.  .Give  thy- 
self no  anxiety  as  to  the  result." 

He  then  proceeded,  at  some  length,  to  un- 
fold his  plan  for  outwitting  the  king's  mes- 
sengers. The  minister's  face  brightened  as 
he  went  on.  At  the  close  the  men  shook 
each  other's  hand  warmly. 

"  God  bless  and  reward  thee  for  all  thy 
kindness,"  said  Goffe,  fervently. 

"  It  is  His  will,"  replied  the  minister.  "  I 
am  but  an  unworthy  instrument  in  His  hands. ' ' 

It  took  but  a  short  time  to  acquaint  Gilbert 
and  Jones  of  the  plan  of  Goffe. 


THE  REGICIDES.  69 

"  Methiuks  it  is  rather  daring, "said  Gil- 
bert. "  Its  failure  would  mean  certain  de- 
struction, but  I  doubt  not  its  wisdom." 

"  Generalship  ! ' '  exclaimed  Jones  with  en- 
thusiasm. 

VII. 

When  Governor  Leete  attempted  to  rise 
from  his  bed  on  Monday  morning,  he  felt 
much  as  did  Rip  Van  Winkle  when  he  waked 
from  his  long  sleep.  He  could  not  stir  with- 
out pain,  and  every  time  he  moved  in  a  new 
direction  it  produced  a  twinge  a  little  keener 
than  the  last.  He  tried  to  get  up,  but  fell 
back  with  a  groan.  Dr.  Rossiter  was  imme- 
diately sent  for,  and  that  learned  gentleman 
unhesitatingly  pronounced  the  trouble  to  be  a 
severe  attack  of  rheumatism.  He  ordered 
hot  flannels  and  brandy  to  be  brought,  and  in 
a  little  while  the  dignified  governor  of  the 
colony  was  swathed  from  head  to  foot  in 
steaming  cloths. 

When  the  officers  arrived  to  see  if  they 
could  do  anything  to  speed  the  governor  on 
his  journey  to  New  Haven  their  tempers  were 
sorely  tried.  Their  first  impression  was  that 
his  honor  was  shamming  for  the  purpose  of 
making  further  delay,  but  when  they  were 


70  THE  REGICIDES. 

shown  to  the  sick  man's  chamber  their  minds 
were  quickly  set  at  rest. 

"  The  time  is  a  matter  of  extreme  doubt," 
said  Dr.  Rossiter,  in  answer  to  a  question  of 
Kirke.  "  It  may  pass  off  in  a  day  or  two,  or 
it  may  run  several  weeks.  It  would  be  im- 
possible to  hazard  an  opinion  that  would  be 
of  any  value." 

The  governor  saw  at  once  that  his  condi- 
tion might  furnish  ground  for  adverse 
criticism,  and  promptly  suggested  that  a  let- 
ter be  sent  to  Master  Gilbert  advising  the 
granting  of  a  warrant.  At  this  the  two 
officers  could  not  find  words  to  express  their 
joy.  Ink  and  paper  and  goose  quills  were 
produced,  and  at  the  governor's  dictation  Kel- 
lond  wrote  stating  that  while  the  papers  were 
clearly  defective  and  ambiguous,  nevertheless 
he  would  recommend  that  a  search  be 
ordered. 

' '  It  will  be  necessary  to  return  here  for  my 
signature,"  said  Governor  Leete,"as  in  a  mat- 
ter of  this  importance  it  is  customary  for  the 
chief  magistrate  to  sign  warrants.  This  will 
cause  little  delay,  however,  and  you  can  easi- 
ly be  back  by  noon." 

"We  are  your  most  devoted  servants !" 
exclaimed  Kellond  in  transports. 


THE  REGICIDES.  71 

"  Allow  us  to  hope  for  your  honor's  speedy 
recovery,"  said  the  less  impulsive  Kirke. 

In  half  an  hour  they  were  on  their  way  to 
New  Haven,  accompanied  by  the  omniscient 
Brockton. 

When  Matthew  Gilbert,  the  magistrate, 
left  his  home  a  little  after  breakfast  that 
morning,  it  was  with  the  intention  of  not  re- 
turning from  Fan-field  until  late  the  following 
day. 

"  But  thou  hadst  told  us  thou  wouldst  be 
back  before  candle  light,"  said  Mistress  Gil- 
bert, keenly  disappointed  at  the  prospect  of  a 
prolonged  absence. 

"  Matters  of  importance  have  recently  de- 
veloped which  will  require  a  longer  stay," 
replied  the  magistrate  evasively .  ' '  Keep  the 
gun  where  thou  canst  reach  it  in  case  of 
trouble,  and  the  I,ord  will  preserve  thee." 
And  with  this  parting  counsel — wise  admix- 
ture of  worldly  prudence  and  religious  conso- 
lation— he  rode  away. 

Mistress  Gilbert  watched  her  lord  ride  out 
of  sight,  and  then  turned  with  a  sigh  to  the 
round  of  her  household  duties.  The  mere 
suggestion  of  Fairfield  or  its  environs  always 
sent  a  shudder  of  horror  through  her  nerves. 
It  was  but  a  few  years  since  Busheage,  the 


72  THE  REGICIDES. 

savage,  had  there  entered  the  peaceful  and 
happy  home  of  her  dearest  friend,  and 
crushed  her  skull  with  a  lathing  hammer 
while  she  was  stooping  over  her  baby's 
cradle.  She  could  not  forget  it.  She  never 
heard  a  sudden  step  on  her  doorsill  without 
thinking  of  it.  The  flint-lock  gun  always 
stood  by  the  table  when  her  husband  was  ab- 
sent, and  she  was  prepared  to  use  it  on  quick 
occasion.  It  is  little  wonder  that  she  felt 
nervous  at  the  prospect  of  Master  Gilbert's 
possible  encounter  with  some  of  Busheage's 
brethren,  and  the  necessity  of  remaining  over 
night  near  the  scene  of  such  an  atrocity. 

The  sun  soon  threw  its  cheerful  light  in  at 
the  eastern  window,  and  the  fire  blazed  mer- 
rily on  the  hearth  ;  but  the  shadow  of  a 
treacherous  Indian  ever  rested  on  her  soul. 
With  a  heavy  heart  she  filled  the  porringer, 
swung  it  over  the  fire,  and  proceeded  to 
get  the  family  breakfast. 

The  forenoon  was  not  half  spent  when  Mis- 
tress Gilbert  was  startled  by  seeing  three 
strange  horsemen  rein  up  before  the  door. 
One  was  tall,  nervous  in  his  manner,  and 
eager  in  his  glance  ;  the  second  was  round, 
genial  looking,  and  good-natured  ;  both  had 
the  dress  and  bearing  of  English  royalists. 


THE  REGICIDES.  73 

The  third  member  of  the  trio  had  such  a  look 
and  manner  of  supreme  importance  and  self- 
satisfaction  that  the  good  mistress  thought  at 
first  that  it  might  be  the  king  himself,  for  it 
had  been  rumored  that  his  majesty  was  pay- 
ing a  visit  to  Boston.  He  tied  his  own  horse, 
however,  and  that  fact  rather  tended  to  shat- 
ter the  king  theory.  As  they  approached  the 
door  she  instinctively  laid  her'  hand  on  the 
gun  and  awaited  developments.  The  extreme 
politeness  of  the  strangers  soon  disarmed  both 
suspicion  and  the  mistress,  for  she  stood  the 
gun  in  the  corner  and  invited  them  in. 

"  Most  gracious  lady,  we  would  speak  with 
thy  good  lord,"  said  the  tallest  of  the  trio, 
bowing  to  the  floor. 

Mistress  Gilbert  was  greatly  impressed  by 
these  courtly  manners.  She  glanced  at  the 
one  she  thought  might  be  the  king,  but  he 
did  not  seem  so  courtly.  He  merely  stood 
haughtily  in  the  center  of  the  room  and  stared 
at  her.  This,  however,  might  be  a  way  kings 
had  with  their  untitled  subjects. 

' '  It  grieveth  me  to  say  that  Master  Gilbert 
is  away,"  she  replied,  with  a  shy  glance  at 
the  "  king."  "  He  left  soon  after  daybreak 
this  morning." 


74  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  three  strangers  were  speechless  at  this 
unlooked-for  announcement. 

"  I  knew  there  was  some  devilment  afoot," 
muttered  the  "king"  under  his  breath. 
"  Meigs  and  that  Indian  didn't  leave  the 
town  for  nothing." 

' '  And  when  is  his  honor  expected  to  re- 
turn? "  asked  Kellond,  with  a  shade  of  vexa- 
tion in  his  tone. 

' '  I  fear  not  until  late  on  the  morrow.  He 
hath  business  of  importance  to  transact  that 
will  render  his  stay  uncertain." 

Kirke  began  to  wonder  where  he  could  find 
some  flip. 

"  His  honor's  departure  was  quite  sudden, 
I  believe  ?  ' '  continued  Kellond,  who  thought 
he  saw  a  carefully  laid  plot  at  the  bottom  of 
all  this. 

"Ah,  no;  the  magistrates  at  Fairfield  have 
long  ago  requested  him  to  be  with  them  this 
day  to  assist  them  with  his  judgment  in  an 
important  trial,"  said  the  mistress. 

The  ' '  king  ' '  gasped  and  took  hold  of  a 
chair  for  support.  He  had  confidently  ex- 
pected that  the  magistrate  would  not  be  visi- 
ble, but  he  had  not  counted  on  an  engage- 
ment of  long  standing  to  take  him  away. 
His  dream  of  glory  and  riches  was  fast  fading 


THE  REGICIDES.  75 

away.  Two  days  !  The  fugitives  might  be 
in  the  heart  of  a  strange  wilderness  by  that 
time.  His  paleness  alarmed  the  good  mis- 
tress. 

"  Is  your — majesty — ill  ?  "  she  faltered,  not 
knowing  whether  it  were  quite  proper  for  her 
to  speak  to  him  or  not. 

' '  Please  get  Constable  Brockton  a  glass  of 
water,"  said  Kirke,  impatiently.  "  He  hath 
eaten  no  breakfast  this  morning." 

When  Brockton  had  gulped  a  few  swallows 
of  water  he  felt  better.  A  few  more  ques- 
tions, and  a  polite  commonplace  or  two  about 
the  late  storm,  and  the  interview  was  at  an 
end.  The  two  officers  bowed  low  as  they  ex- 
pressed their  gratitude,  and  retired  with 
Brockton  for  consultation.  The  latter,  not 
being  versed  in  the  art  of  politeness,  merely 
right-about-faced  and  left  the  house. 

"I'll  tell  ye  what  I  shall  do  !"  exclaimed 
Kellond,  thoroughly  aroused,  when  they  had 
reached  the  street.  "  If  this  man  doth  not 
return  by  noon  to-morrow,  I  shall  make  one 
more  demand  upon  Governor  Leete  for  a 
warrant.  If  he  does  not  then  grant  it,  I  shall 
seize  these  men  under  the  King's  order,  and 
march  'em  off  to  Boston  !" 

"Gadzooks!"  quoth   Kirke,    "one  would 


76  THE  REGICIDES. 

think  Brother  Kellond  had  already  found  his 
game,  from  the  way  he  talks  !  What  is  it 
the  proverb  saith  about  not  estimating  thy 
fowls  ere  the  mother  hen  hath  finished  set- 
ting?" 

"We  could  find  'em  fast  enough  now," 
said  Brockton,  confidently,  "if  we  didn't  have 
to  wait  for  a  warrant.  I  could  point  ye  now 
to  the  very  house  where  they  be." 

4 '  Do  it  then  ! ' '  demanded  Kellond  with  a 
fierceness  that  startled  the  others.  "  Let  the 
governors  and  magistrates  be  damned  ! 
We'll  seize  'em  at  once  !" 

There  is  no  doubt  but  if  left  to  follow 
his  inclinations,  Kellond  would  have  forcibly 
entered  the  minister's  house  without  further 
parley.  Kirke's  wiser  counsel  prevailed, 
however,  and  they  contented  themselves  for 
the  present  with  riding  past  the  house  of  the 
minister  and  glaring  at  it  with  envious  eyes 
as  they  began  their  ignominious  retreat  to- 
ward Guilford. 


THE  REGICIDES.  77 


VII. 

Early  the  next  morning  Goodman  Brown 
was  walking  down  Market  street.  Goodman 
was  in  a  brown  study  as  he  stumped  along 
leaning  heavily  on  his  cane.  Something  evi- 
dently had  occurred  that  puzzled  his  wits  be- 
yond their  ordinary  exercise.  He  was 
mumbling  to  himself,  and  every  now  and  then 
would  stop  and  turn  around  far  enough  to 
cast  an  eye  up  the  street.  Seeing  nothing 
that  tended  toward  a  solution  of  his  problem, 
he  resumed  his  way. 

"  Good  morrow,  Goodman  Brown!" 

Goodman  started  as  though  Cromwell  and  all 
his  legions  were  thundering  upon  him.  He 
straightened  his  bent  figure  and  looked  in  the 
direction  whence  the  words  came. 

"Ah,  Goody  Bascombe,  good  morrow. 
Thou  hadst  well-nigh  shattered  my  senses  by 
thy  sudden  salutation." 

Goody  was  brushing  the  snow  from  her 
steps,  and  gave  an  extra  sweep  or  two  with 
her  broom  before  stopping. 

' '  Thy  manner  betokened  deep  meditation . 
Perchance  I  did  wrong  to  disturb  thee." 

"  There  was  somewhat  on  my  mind." 


78  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  I  prithee  forgive  me,  then  ;  but  tlie  morn- 
ing was  so  bright,  and  you  seemed  not  to 
know  it." 

"  Nay,  Goody,  there  is  naught  to  forgive, 
and  a  cheerful  salutation  is  most  welcome  in 
so  serious  a  world  as  this." 

"  Aye,  and  I  doubt  not  that  the  Lord  in 
His  divine  justice  will  permit  us  to  be  thus 
cheerful,  though  we  deserve  nothing  better 
than  scourges  and  a  dungeon,  poor  miserable 
sinners  that  we  are  ! ' ' 

' '  We  ought  hourly  to  be  grateful  that  a 
gracious  God  grants  even  existence  to  beings 
S3  sinful  and  perverse  as  ourselves,"  said 
Goodman  Brown.  "  Sometimes  I  am  tempt- 
ed to  give  way  to  an  impulse  of  joy  and  glad- 
ness that  we  who  were  once  so  oppressed  are 
now  able  in  this  bright  spot  in  the  wilderness, 
to  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  But  I 
know  that  all  our  natural  impulses  are  born  of 
Sathan,  and  that  we  must  one  day  render  an 
account  of  every  thought  and  deed.  There  is 
no  time,  with  Hell  and  Eternity  yawning  be- 
neath our  feet,  to  do  aught  but  the  Master's 
work!" 

"Thou  sayest  well,  Goodman.  We  should 
spend  our  days  and  nights  in  penitence  and 
prayer.  Our  own  earthly  joys  would  weigh 


"  ETERNITY   IS   LONG,"    SAID  GOODMAN   BROWN— p.  79 


THE  REGICIDES.  79 

little  were  we  to  wake  suddenly  in  that  burning 
lake  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where  there  would 
be  never  a  drop  of  water  to  cool  the  parched 
tongue." 

"  Eternity  is  long,"  returned  Goodman, 
thoughtfully.  ' '  Methinks  that  in  our  blind- 
ness we  do  not  realize  it.  Didst  hear  Master 
Davenport*  discourse  on  Eternity  the  Sabbath 
before  last?" 

"  Alas,  no  ! "  replied  Goody  Bascombe.  ' '  I 
could  not  leave  my  bed  all  day  for  pain  and 
suffering.  Spake  he  wisely  of  our  constant 
peril  and  unworthiness  ?  ' ' 

"  Yea,  never  more  so.  He  discoursed  long 
and  earnestly,  far  above  an  hour,  as  I  wot. 
I  noted  that  he  turned  the  hourglass  a  goodly 
space  of  time  ere  he  had  done."  * 

' '  Tell  me,  I  prithee,  what  said  he  ?  Sathan 
came  to  me  as  I  lay  suffering  upon  my  bed, 
and  tempted  me  to  rebel  against  God  for  lay- 
ing me  ill ;  but  I  bit  my  tongue  until  it  bled, 
and  ceased  for  a  time  to  take  the  herbs  which 
relieved  the  pain,  so  that  by  self-denial  and 
constant  prayer  I  drove  the  Adversary  away. 
But  he  overpowers  me  when  I  am  weak  and 
sick,  and  were  I  to  die  at  such  a  time  I  fear 
my  soul  would  be  lost.  Tell  me,  what  did 

*  See  Appendix  B- 


8o  THE  REGICIDES. 

the  godly  man  say,  that  I  may  apply  liis 
words  to  my  feeble  understanding." 

"He said,"  replied  Goodman  Brown,  "that 
next  to  God  the  thought  of  eternity  was  the 
most  awful  that  ever  entered  the  human 
breast.  Said  he,  '  Suppose  that  all  the  earth 
were  covered  with  the  sands  of  the  sea,  and  a 
bird  came  from  a  distant  star  to  carry  them 
away.  He  took  a  grain  of  sand  in  his  bill 
and  flew  away  to  his  home  in  the  star.  The 
journey  was  so  far  that  it  took  him  a  million 
years  to  go  and  come.  Then  after  resting  a 
thousand  years  he  came  and  took  another 
grain,  and  so  on,  one  grain  at  a  time,  until 
all  the  sands  of  the  sea  had  been  carried  to 
the  star.  When  the  last  grain  had  been 
removed,  Eternity  would  be  only  just  begun  ! ' ' 

"  Ah,  a  great  and  wise  man  is  Master  Dav- 
enport!  "  exclaimed  Goody  Bascombe,  over- 
come for  the  moment  by  the  vastness  of  the 
conception.  "  And  to  think  that  Heaven — " 

' '  Think  not  of  Heaven  !  ' '  interrupted 
Goodman  Brown.  "Think  only  of  Hell! 
Remember  that  its  fires  will  burn  through  all 
Bternity,  and  with  increasing  violence.  As 
the  little  blaze  in  a  pile  of  dry  leaves  gains  in 
power  and  intensity  as  it  sweeps  up  the  moun- 
tain side,  so  will  the  fires  of  Hell  gather  force 


THE  REGICIDES.  81 

with  the  sweep  of  the  ages  !  Dote  not  on 
Heaven  so  long  as  there  is  a  Hell  to  shun  ! 
The  hours  spent  in  dreaming  of  Heaven  have 
sent  many  a  human  soul  hissing  into  the  bub- 
bling brimstone  !  Remember  how  few  there 
are  who  will  ever  know  what  Heaven  is  ! 
Remember  that  only  the  elect  can  ever  know 
its  blissful—  ' ' 

The  solemn  dialogue  was  interrupted  by  a 
commotion  up  the  street.  Goodman  Brown 
turned  and  looked. 

"The  very  thing  that  was  puzzling  me  !  " 
he  exclaimed.  "  The  same  sound  awoke  me 
before  light  this  morning." 

Two  horsemen  were  approaching  at  full 
gallop  from  the  north,  but  as  they  entered  the 
village  they  slackened  their  pace  until  it  had 
dropped  into  a  walk  by  the  time  they  were 
opposite  Goody  Bascombe's  house.  They 
saluted  respectfully  as  they  passed.  The 
monotony  of  village  life  was  so  seldom  broken 
by  an  occurrence  like  this  that  Goodman 
Brown  thought  no  more  of  his  theological  dis- 
cussion, but  bade  Goody  Bascombe  a  hasty 
good-day,  and  started  down  the  street. 

A  little  way  below  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  market-place  stood  the  tavern.  It  was 
small  and  not  very  luxurious,  but  was  entirely 


82  THE  REGICIDES. 

adequate  to  the  needs  of  the  occasional  pil- 
grim who  desired  public  entertainment.  It 
was  also  the  habitual  rendezvous  of  the  male 
gossips,  and  the  one  place  where  people  inva- 
riably went  for  "  news."  Here  the  two  trav- 
elers drew  rein,  and  after  ordering  bait  for 
their  horses  and  partaking  of  a  light  break- 
fast themselves,  stood  talking  with  some  by- 
standers in  the  street.  There  was  quite  a 
crowd  gathered  by  the  time  Goodman  arrived, 
and  it  was  soon  noised  about  that  the  village 
was  honored  by  the  presence  of  Generals 
Whalley  and  Goffe,  late  officers  in  Cromwell's 
army,  and  of  the  commission  that  had  con- 
demned Charles  the  First  to  the  block.  It 
had  been  whispered  for  several  days  that 
"two  colonels,"  fugitives  from  England,  were 
hiding  somewhere  in  the  colony.  It  had  even 
been  hinted  that  they  were  staying  at  Master 
Davenport's.  Curious  ones,  however,  who 
had  gone  there  for  the  express  purpose  of  see- 
ing for  themselves,  had  found  Mistress  Dav- 
enport quietly  knitting,  as  usual,  and  the  par- 
son busy  in  his  study.  There  was  nothing 
whatever  of  a  military  flavor  about  the  house, 
and  the  matter  was  so  reported.  The  present 
episode  effectually  put  an  end  to  such  sur- 
mises, for  these  were  undoubtedly  the  ' '  colo- 


THE  REGICIDES.  83 

nels  "  in  question,  and  here  they  came  riding 
into  town  from  the  north  at  full  gallop. 

In  half  an  hour  nearly  every  man,  woman 
and  child  in  the  village  was  standing  in  front 
of  the  tavern,  taking  turns  at  shaking  hands 
with  the  distinguished  visitors  who  had  stood 
so  close  to  Cromwell  in  the  great  fight  for 
English  liberty.  The  occasion  was  really  a 
notable  one  for  New  Haven,  for  had  not  one 
of  these  men  been  mentioned  as  a  possible 
successor  of  the  great  Oliver  as  Lord  Protector 
of  the  Commonwealth  ? 

The  strangers  asked  a  great  many  questions 
about  the  colony,  when  and  by  whom  it  was 
planted,  who  were  its  officers,  and  so  forth. 
Master  Davenport  and  his  neighbor  Jones 
soon  came  up  and  made  many  inquiries  about 
men  and  affairs  in  England.  Jonathan  Mars- 
ton,  the  schoolmaster,  had  been  a  school-fellow 
of  Goffe's  in  his  boyhood,  and  both  were  de- 
lighted at  the  unexpected  meeting. 

"  I  prithee,  who  is  yon  beautiful  maiden  ?  " 
said  General  Goffe,  whose  gallant  eye  sud- 
denly sighted  a  blossom  of  pink  and  white  on 
the  outskirts  of  the  crowd^ 

"That  is  my  daughter — and  her  friend," 
replied  Marston  proudly. 

"  May  I  have  the  honor  of  a  presentation  ?  ' ' 


84  THE  REGICIDES. 

asked  the  general.  "  I  have  not  seen  such 
charming  beauty  since  leaving  old  England." 
"  Martha,  bring  the  child  hither,"  Marston 
called  out.  ' '  General  Goffe  wishes  to  be  pre- 
sented." 

The  crowd  parted,  and  a  girl  of  eighteen, 
slender  and  supple,  with  rich  golden  hair 
tucked  carefully  under  her  bonnet,  and  eyes 
of  violet  blue,  came  forward,  leading  timid 
little  Hope  Marston  by  the  hand. 

"This  is  my  daughter,  Hope,"  said  Mars- 
ton  when  the  two  girls  stood  before  them. 

The  general  bowed  low,  then  fixed  his  eyes 
upon  the  lovely  face  of  Hope's  companion 
and  put  a  question  for  the  sake  of  hearing 
her  voice. 

"Artthou  not  lonely  here  in  the  wilder- 
ness, Mistress  Marston?"  he  said,  quite 
ignoring  Hope's  presence. 

"  But,  sire,  this  is  Mistress  Marston,"  said 
the  older  girl,  smiling  artlessly  at  the  mistake 
in  identity.  "I  am  Martha  Malbon,  only  a 
friend  of  little  Hope,"  she  added,  fondly 
caressing  the  child's  head. 

"  I  can  but  envy  Mistress  Marston  her  com- 
panionship, then,"  said  the  general,  beaming 
good  naturedly. 

Master  Richard  Malbon,  Martha's  father, 
and  one  of  the  magistrates,  pressed  forward 


THE  REGICIDES.  85 

to  share  his  daughter's  prominence,  when 
attention  was  suddenly  turned  toward  the 
other  visitor,  who  was  relating  some  interest- 
ing experiences. 

"  We  left  England  several  months  ago," 
General  Whalley  was  saying.  ' '  We  were 
summoned,  among  others  who  sat  in  judg- 
ment upon  the  late  king,  to  appear  within 
two  weeks  or  forever  forfeit  pardon.  We  con- 
sidered the  proposition  for  a  little  time,  but 
concluded  that  it  was  a  trap,  for  we  knew 
that  if  apprehended  our  fate  would  in  all  like- 
lihood be  that  of  others  who  had  surrendered. 
We  took  ship  for  Boston  under  assumed 
names,  leaving  our  estates  in  the  care  of 
friends,  and  lived  there  for  many  weeks  in 
pleasant  accord  with  the  people.  They 
showed  us  every  respect  and  seemed  to  desire 
our  presence,  until  Governor  Endicott  re- 
ceived an  order  to  arrest  and  send  us  to  Eng- 
land. We  had  a  serious  talk  with  our  friends, 
and,  as  a  result,  decided  to  withdraw  from 
the  colony  rather  than  subject  to  annoyance 
those  who  had  treated  us  with  so  much  kind- 
ness and  consideration.  On  arriving  within 
your  borders,  we  learn  that  your  governor, 
too,  has  been  asked  to  watch  for  our  coming  ; 
so  we  must  perforce  continue  our  journey 


86  THE  REGICIDES. 

southward.  This  we  greatly  deplore,  for  we 
had  hoped  to  live  among  you  and  render  such 
poor  sendees  as  we  might  in  the  upbuilding 
of  God's  kingdom  here.  But  the  hand  of  the 
oppressor  is  against  us,  and  our  stay  must  be 
short.  This  reminds  me,  Goodman,"  turning 
to  the  landlord,  ' '  how  far  must  we  travel  be- 
fore reaching  Manhattan  ?  " 

"Somewhat  above  seventy  miles,  your 
honor,"  remarked  mine  host,  "  and  the  roads 
are  beginning  to  soften  since  the  late  snow. 
They  will  be  bad  by  the  morrow." 

"And  the  towns,  are  they  frequent?" 
asked  General  Goffe. 

"  You  will  reach  Milford  about  ten  miles 
below,  then  Fairfield  in  about  a  day's  jour- 
ney. From  thence  the  road  will  be  lonely, 
except  that  now  and  then  you  perchance  will 
find  a  camp  of  friendly  Indians." 

"And  Manhattan,  is  it  hospitable  toward 
strangers  ?  ' ' 

' '  Aye,  the  people  are  large  hearted  and 
kind,  but  the  town  is  the  queerest  you  ever 
saw,  unless  you  have  been  in  Holland.  It  is 
a  little  place,  but  it  is  full  of  good  schnapps 
and  beer, ' '  added  the  landlord,  with  the  true 
instinct  of  a  born  entertainer. 

The  strangers  then  called  for  their  horses, 


THE  REGICIDES.  87 

and  after  a  parting  handshake  with  a  few  of 
the  principal  citizens,  proceeded  to  mount. 

"  There  is  the  river  below  Milford,"  sug- 
gested the  schoolmaster.  ' '  The  Indians  will 
take  you  across  in  canoes,  but  the  horses  will 
have  to  be  led." 

After  a  liberal  exchange  of  good  wishes, 
and  an  oft-repeated  "  God  bless  and  keep 
thee,"  the  travelers  resumed  their  way.  The 
villagers  watched  them  as  they  turned,  a  few 
rods  below,  to  the  southwest,  into  the  farming 
district.  In  a  few  moments  they  had  crossed 
the  small  creek  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  and  dis- 
appeared from  view. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  Kellond 
and  Kirke,  accompanied  by  a  certain  vigilant 
constable  named  Brockton,  arrived  in  New 
Haven  and  inquired  if  two  strange  horsemen 
had  passed  that  way. 

They  had  received  word  about  noon  that 
the  generals  were  in  New  Haven,  and  made 
all  haste  to  follow.  The  source  of  their  infor- 
mation was  John  Beasley ,  a  harmless,  drunken 
fellow,  who  thought  to  get  a  share  of  the 
reward.  Beasley's  natural  instincts  were 
good,  and  he  hesitated  a  little,  but  he  received 
bad  advice  from  an  unexpected  quarter. 


88  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Go  get  Goodman  Barnes  his  horse,"  Sa- 
tan had  whispered  in  his  ear  while  the  ques- 
tion was  being  debated ;  and  acting  upon  this 
sudden  counsel,  he  took  the  horse  without 
leave  and  started  for  Guilford.  He  received 
a  small  sum  of  money  for  his  trouble,  with 
the  promise  of  more  if  it  led  to  final  success. 
An  hour  later  he  was  lying  helplessly  drunk 
by  the  roadside,  while  the  horse  was  walking 
thoughtfully  towards  home,  casting  now  and 
then  a  look  of  uncertainty  backward  in  the 
direction  of  the  prostrate  Beasley. 

The  pursuers  soon  learned  that  the  fugi- 
tives had  passed  through  the  town,  and  with- 
out stopping  for  so  much  as  a  bait  for  their 
horses,  galloped  off  toward  Milford. 


IX. 

"  Mother,  Will  Harding  hath  asked  me  to 
the  venison  feast  to-night.  May  I  go  ?  " 

11  Where  is  it  to  be,  Martha  ?  " 

"  At  the  farms.  My  cousin  Devotion  and 
Joshua  Atwater  are  going,  and  have  invited 
us  to  go  along  with  them.  There  will  be 
many  of  our  friends  going  out." 

There  was  a  pleading  look  in  the  girl's  eyes 


THE  REGICIDES.  89 

as  she  stood  by  the  kitchen  table  awaiting 
her  mother's  decision.  She  had  never  been 
to  a  venison  feast,  or,  for  that  matter,  to  any 
of  the  festivities  of  which  her  friends  had  told 
her  so  much  ;  and  this  one  had  been  the  talk 
of  the  young  people  for  a  month. 

' '  Thy  father  doth  not  approve  of  venison 
feasts." 

Martha's  face  fell. 

"  But  this  one  is  at  Master  Sperry's,  and 
everybody  is  going.  Think  you  he  could  not 
be  coaxed  to  let  me  go  ?  I  will  not  ask  again 
in  a  long  time  ;  indeed,  I  will  not." 

"  Thy  father's  rule  is  that  each  member  of 
the  family  shall  be  in  bed  by  eight  o'  the 
clock." 

"  Yes,  but  just  for  this  once.  It  will  make 
me  very  happy." 

Martha  put  her  arm  around  her  mother's 
waist  and  looked  up  into  her  eyes. 

"I  am  willing,  my  daughter;  thou  hast 
always  been  a  good  gin  and  hast  had  few 
pleasures;  but  thy  father — thou  canst  ask 
him,  if  thou  thinkest  best." 

' '  You  dear,  good  mother  !  ' '  said  Martha, 
giving  a  squeeze  with  both  arms.  "But 
could  you  not  ask  him  for  me  ?  I  am  afraid 
to,  for  he  did  not  seem  pleased  when  I  asked 


90  THE  REGICIDES. 

him  last  year  if  I  might  go  to  Master  Hull's 
house-warming. ' ' 

"  I  will  ask  him  for  thee,  but  I  fear  he  will 
not  allow  it.  He  is  a  serious  man,  and  deems 
all  such  things  as  frivolous." 

"  Master  Sperry  is  a  serious  man,  and  a 
good  man  withal,  yet  I  heard  him  say  last 
Sabbath  that  wholesome  amusements  were 
good  for  old  and  young  alike." 

"I  doubt  not  he  is  right.  Now  fill  the 
kettle  and  swing  it  over  the  fire,  and  I  will 
ask  thy  father  when  he  comes  at  noon." 

Martha  went  about  her  work  with  a  light 
heart.  She  had  heard  the  other  girls  making 
plans  for  the  feast,  and  began  to  imagine  what 
it  would  all  be  like.  It  would  be  her  first 
party,  and  it  meant  a  world  of  strange  and  new 
sensations.  She  was  at  the  wood-pile  for 
an  armful  when  her  cousin  Devotion  came 
into  the  yard.  Martha  was  so  delighted  that 
she  dropped  the  wood  she  had  in  her  arms. 

"  Oh,  mother  says  I  may  go,  if  father  will 
let  me  !  ' '  she  exclaimed,  running  toward  the 
gate. 

"  Of  course  he  will  let  thee  go.  Why  should 
he  not?  "  said  Devotion.  "  We  are  all  going 
together,  father  and  mother  and  everybody, 
and  we  will  have  a  splendid  time.  When 
wilt  thou  know  for  sure  ?  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  91 

"  When  father  comes  home  at  noon.  Run 
over  the  first  thing  after  dinner  and  I  will  tell 
thee." 

"Uncle  John,  who  hath  just  come  from 
England,  will  be  there,  and  he  says  he  will 
sing  some  college  songs  if  we  ask  him,  and 
you  may  be  sure  he  will  be  asked  !  ' ' 

"  How  nice  that  will  be  !  Oh,  I  must  go  !  " 

"  Uncle  John  you  know  is  a  lawyer,  and  is 
over  on  business  at  Boston.  He  hath  a  world 
of  funny  stories  and  sweet  songs.  Some  of 
the  songs  are  funny,  too.  He  makes  you 
laugh  and  cry  almost  at  the  same  time,  so 
that  you  hardly  know  which  you  are  doing. ' ' 

"Come,  my  daughter,  the  fire  lacketh 
wood,"  called  Mrs.  Malbon  from  the  kitchen 
door.  ' '  Delay  not,  or  the  dinner  will  be 
late." 

"  Right  away,  mother,"  said  Martha,  gath- 
ering up  the  handful  she  had  dropped. 
"  Forget  not  to  run  over,  Devotion,  after  thy 
dishes  are  done." 

"  Yes,  and  in  the  meantime  think  what 
thou  shalt  carry.  Everybody  is  expected  to 
take  something." 

At  noon  time  Master  Richard  Malbon  ap- 
peared to  be  preoccupied.  Perhaps  it  was 
natural  that  a  magistrate  of  the  town  and 


92  THE  REGICIDES. 

pillar  of  the  church  should  be,  with  such 
weighty  matters  resting  upon  him.  He  sat 
down  at  the  table,  said  the  usual  long  grace, 
and  proceeded  to  load  the  trenchers  without  a 
word.  Martha  was  nervous,  and  could  not 
eat.  She  kept  looking  from  one  parent  to 
the  other,  and  wished  her  mother  would  hurry 
up  and  have  it  over.  Mistress  Malbon  evi- 
dently did  not  think  the  occasion  particularly 
favorable,  and  put  off  her  question  until 
thanks  had  been  returned  and  the  master  had 
risen  from  the  table. 

' '  Father,  Martha  wishes  to  attend  the  ven- 
ison feast  at  Master  Sperry's  to-night.  Hath 
she  thy  permission  ?  ' ' 

The  magistrate  looked  in  astonishment  first 
at  his  wife,  and  then  at  his  daughter.  Then 
his  face  grew  dark. 

"  I  supposed  my  opinion  on  such  matters 
was  well  known  in  this  family,"  he  said 
sternly.  ' '  Have  my  teachings  and  example 
been  so  fruitless  that  my  only  child  leans 
toward  sinful  dalliance,  and  my  wife  connives 
at  it?  Take  thy  Bible,  Martha,  and  prepare 
thy  soul  for  the  dread  hereafter  that  those 
who  waste  their  time  in  social  follies  are  sure 
to  meet  unprepared  !  Never  let  me  hear  of 
such  a  request  again  !  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  93 

Mistress  Malbon  and  her  daughter  knew 
there  was  no  use  in  saying  more,  and  when 
the  father  had  left  the  house  Martha  fell  for- 
ward on  the  table  and  burst  out  sobbing. 

' '  There  is  no  use  in  trying  to  be  good  !  ' ' 
she  cried,  when  her  mother  tried  to  comfort 
her.  "  I  am  not  like  other  girls,  I  am  noth- 
ing but  a  slave  !  I  drudge,  drudge,  drudge, 
from  morning  till  night,  and  never  am  allowed 
to  go  anywhere  or  see  anybody  !  Oh,  I  wish 
I  had  never  been  born !  ' '  and  she  fell  to  sob- 
bing again  in  spite  of  all  efforts  at  consola- 
tion. 

Patient  Mistress  Malbon  sat  down  beside 
Martha  with  a  sorrowful  face,  and  smoothed 
her  hair  while  she  tried  to  take  her  attention 
from  her  grief.  She  well  knew  that  her  hus- 
band's strictness  of  discipline  was  making 
Martha  rebellious,  and  had  tried  as  far  as 
possible  to  have  it  reasonably  relaxed.  She 
had  herself  felt  the  want  of  congenial  society, 
to  relieve  the  dull  humdrum  of  her  every-day 
life,  and  could  sympathize.  She  knew  that 
while  her  daughter  was  invariably  gentle  and 
affectionate,  devoted  and  obedient  to  her 
parents,  she  had  a  keen  desire  for  companion- 
ship and  recreation.  Mistress  Malbon  saw 
that  it  was  injudicious  as  well  as  unduly 


94  THE  REGICIDES. 

severe  to  apply  such  a  curb,  but  when  she 
had  seen  fit  to  remonstrate  she  had  had  Scrip- 
ture quotations  hurled  at  her  until  her  head 
ached,  and  had  given  up  in  despair. 

"  Take  not  on  so,"  said  Mistress  Malbon, 
as  she  saw  Martha's  grief  increasing.  ' '  Thou 
wilt  forget  it  soon." 

"  I  will  never  forget  it  !  "  cried  Martha, 
rising  up  and  looking  her  mother  in  the  face. 
4 '  It  is  not  this  alone,  but  it  is  always  !  The 
more  I  try  to  be  good  and  do  my  duty  the 
more  harshness  and  cruelty  I  get !  I  never 
go  anywhere  and  never  see  anybody,  and 
when  I  do  I  shall  act  like  a  fool  for  want  of 
knowing  how  !  " 

The  fit  of  passion  and  distress  finally  spent 
itself,  but  her  feelings  were  still  at  a  high  ten- 
sion. She  occasionally  broke  out  while  help- 
ing her  mother  with  the  work,  and  once  ran 
out  into  the  yard  that  she  might  not  be  seen. 
It  was  at  an  unfortunate  moment,  for  she  was 
no  sooner  out  of  the  house  than  she  met  De- 
votion. 

' '  Whatever  is  the  matter  ?  ' '  cried  Devo- 
tion. 

"  I  cannot  go,"  said  Martha,  with  a  fresh 
burst  of  tears. 

"Why  not?" 


THE  REGICIDES.  95 

"For  no  reason  at  all.  Because  I  am  a 
slave,  that's  all." 

"  Well,  I  would  go,"  said  Devotion,  quietly. 
' '  Thou  art  eighteen  years  old,  and  old  enough 
to  know  thy  own  mind." 

Martha  straightened  up  and  looked  sharply 
at  her  cousin.  Then  she  took  a  sudden  reso- 
lution. 

"  Thou  art  right,"  she  said.  "  I  shall  be 
nineteen  in  a  month.  I  am  a  woman  and  am 
treated  like  a  child.  Tell  Will  Harding  I 
will  go." 

When  she  returned  to  the  kitchen  and  re- 
sumed her  work  she  was  even  less  happy  than 
before.  The  very  boldness  of  her  resolution 
startled  her  and  made  her  heart  almost  stand 
still.  She  said  nothing  of  it  to  her  mother, 
but  appeared  to  be  absorbed  in  her  duties. 
When  supper  was  over,  and  the  dishes  done, 
she  went  to  the  pantry,  slipped  a  few  cakes 
under  her  apron,  and  went  to  her  room.  Af- 
ter making  a  hasty  toilet,  she  went  out  through 
the  back  yard  and  to  her  cousin's  under  the 
cover  of  the  deepening  twilight. 

It  was  the  most  miserable  evening  she  ever 
passed.  Uncle  John's  songs  and  stories  kept 
the  company  in  hilarious  spirits,  but  hers 
were  of  lead.  Neither  the  feast  nor  the  games 


96  THE  REGICIDES. 

had  any  attraction  for  her.  She  wished  a 
hundred  times  that  she  had  never  left  home, 
and  thought  how  her  mother  must  be  worry- 
ing about  her.  When  she  returned  and  en- 
tered the  door,  she  felt  like  a  culprit.  She 
tried  to  steal  up  to  her  room  without  being 
noticed,  but  her  father  met  her  in  the  hall. 

"Come  to  the  kitchen,"  was  all  he  said, 
and  he  led  the  way.  But  the  tone  of  his 
voice  sent  a  chill  to  her  soul. 

Her  mother  sat  by  the  kitchen  table  with 
an  agonized  look  on  her  face.  Martha  saw 
what  had  taken  place,  and  all  her  thoughts 
turned  toward  her  mother.  She  fell  on  her 
knees  and  begged  her  forgiveness,  then  ad- 
dressed her  father. 

' '  Fall  on  thy  knees  to  God  in  heaven  !  ' ' 
he  cried,  turning  his  face  away.  "  Thy  case 
requireth  more  than  man's  forgiveness." 

"  My  only  sin  is  disobedience"  said  Mar- 
tha," still  remaining  on  her  knees.  "For- 
give me.  I  have  been  truly  miserable  this 
whole  night  at  the  thought  of  it.  I  realized 
not  what  I  was  doing.  I  felt  rebellious  be- 
cause thou  wouldst  not  give  thy  consent,  and 
that  is  the  whole  of  it.  I  will  never  forget 
myself  again." 

"  Would  to  God  that  disobedience  was  thy 
only  sin, ' '  said  the  magistrate  solemnly.  ' '  Is 


THE  REGICIDES.  97 

not  filthy  dalliance  with  Will  Harding  a 
sin?" 

Martha  was  on  her  feet  in  an  instant. 

' '  What  meanest  thou  by  that  ?  ' '  she  cried 
hoarsely,  putting  her  hands  to  her  head. 

"Thou  knowest  better  than  I.  Ask  thy- 
self." 

"Do  not  talk  like  that!  I  swear  before 
heaven  that  thou  art  wrong  ?  I  have  not 
spent  five  minutes  in  Will  Hoarding's  com- 
pany this  night.  I  went  with  cousin  Devo- 
tion, and  uncle  and  aunt.  He  was  along 
with  us,  but  I  was  so  dull  that  he  paid  his 
whole  attention  to  Devotion,  as  they  will  say. 
lyook  not  at  me  so  !  Oh,  what  hast  thou 
said!" 

Mistress  Malbon  rose  to  go  to  her  daughter, 
but  a  mighty  frown  on  her  husband's  face 
kept  her  back. 

' '  What  hast  thou  to  say  about  thieving 
from  thy  parents?"  continued  Master  Mal- 
bon, looking  at  his  child  as  though  he  loathed 
the  sight  of  her. 

"  I  know  not  what  thou  meanest !  " 

"  Mother,"  turning  to  his  wife,  "  where  are 
all  the  cakes  that  were  left  at  supper  time  ? 
And  why  were  they  gone  when  I  would  have 
eaten  one  but  an  hour  since  ?  ' ' 


98  THE  REGICIDES. 

"Alas,  I  know  not !  "  sighed  Mistress  Mal- 
bon. 

"  I  took  them,"  said  Martha,  with  a  proud 
curl  in  her  lip.  "And  I  made  them,  too, 
every  one  of  them  !  There  they  are  !  ' '  and 
taking  them  from  her  pocket,  where  they  had 
been  entirely  forgotten,  she  threw  them  on 
the  table.  "Now  what  other  crimes  am  I 
accused  of  ?  " 

"Add  not  insolence  to  thy  conduct,"  said 
her  father  sternly.  "Now  go  to  thy  room 
and  read  thy  Bible,  and  I  will  deal  with  thy 
case  on  the  morrow." 

Mistress  Malbon  followed  Martha  to  her 
room,  and  when  the  door  was  shut  they  fell 
into  each  other's  arms. 

"My  poor  child,  what  hast  thoudone?" 
cried  the  mother,  the  tears  running  down  her 
face. 

"  I  have  caused  thee  pain,"  replied  Martha, 
trying  to  soothe  by  wiping  away  the  tears. 
' '  Those  cruel  words  have  killed  my  repen- 
tance for  all  else." 

Martha  sat  by  her  window  and  watched  the 
moon  go  down,  and  before  she  felt  like  sleep- 
ing it  had  begun  to  grow  light  in  the  east. 


THE  REGICIDES.  99 

X. 

It  has  ever  been  true  that  in  all  churches 
prelatical  there  is  a  sort  of  sanctity  associated 
in  the  minds  of  the  people  with  the  edifice 
where  worshipping  is  done.  This  holds  good, 
to  a  certain  degree,  in  respect  to  many  others. 
\Ve  are  all  inclined,  with  more  or  less  force, 
to  regard  the  place  where  we  have  listened  to 
words  of  holy  counsel  ever  since  we  can 
remember,  where  we  have  week  after  week 
met  with  our  neighbors  to  worship  and  receive 
our  inspirations  toward  a  better  life,  with  a 
feeling  of  pious  awe,  as  a  place  more  sacred 
than  the  office,  the  work-shop,  and  the  farm. 

Not  so  the  Puritans  of  New  Haven.  They 
had  seen  so  much  of  iniquity  practiced  under 
the  cloak  of  religion  that  the  idea  of  a  church 
suggested,  in  some  instances,  quite  as  much 
of  deviltry  as  of  piety.  So  they  had  no  church. 
They  worshipped  in  a  "meeting-house,"  a 
place  where  the  people  might  meet  for  any 
lawful  and  proper  purpose.  They  not  only 
held  religious  services  in  the  meeting-house, 
but  there  transacted  most  business  of  a  public 
nature.  The  General  Court,  or  Legislature, 
met  in  the  meeting-house.  It  was  used  on 
election  days  for  voting  purposes,  and  on 


ioo  THE  REGICIDES. 

town  meeting  days  for  the  discussion  of  pub- 
lic affairs.  It  was  a  sort  of  town  hall  and 
church  combined.  There  was  to  these  of  our 
forefathers  no  act  in  life  more  sacred  than  the 
proper  conduct  of  the  business  which  con- 
cerned the  welfare  of  the  community,  and 
there  was  nothing  in  an  election  to  desecrate 
the  place  where  Sunday  services  were  held. 

It  was  in  the  meeting-house,  also,  that  the 
courts  sat,  possibly  in  the  hope  that  in  its 
frosty  and  untempered  atmosphere  cold  and 
impartial  justice  might  be  meted  out. 

On  the  morning  following  the  events  related 
in  the  last  chapter,  three  of  the  magistrates 
were  met  here  to  dispose  of  the  week's  cul- 
prits. Their  honors  the  worshipful  masters 
Gilbert,  Crane  and  Malbon  sat  upon  the 
elevated  platform  at  one  end  of  the  room. 
Three  constables  guarded  the  prisoners,  that 
no  guilty  man  might  escape  his  just  deserts. 
The  town  crier  stood  beside  the  platform  and 
a  little  to  the  left  of  the  magistrates.  The 
witnesses  sat  about  the  room  as  they  saw  fit, 
or  stood  near  the  door  in  a  group.  The  pris- 
oners looked  dejected  and  despondent,  with- 
out hope,  for  they  knew  that  Puritan  justice 
was  seldom  tempered  with  mercy. 

' '  Silence  in  the  presence  of  the  court !  ' ' 
shouted  the  crier,  at  a  sign  from  Master 


THE  REGICIDES.  IOI 

Crane,  who  presided.  Immediately  the  buzz 
of  conversation  that  had  been  going  on  in  the 
room  stopped. 

1 '  John  Beasley  to  the  bar  !  ' '  called  the 
crier,  after  referring  to  a  list  of  prisoners  that 
had  been  handed  to  him  by  Master  Crane. 

Beasley  rose  from  his  seat  in  the  corner  and 
shuffled  toward  the  front,  while  a  constable 
held  him  by  one  arm. 

"Beasley,"  said  the  presiding  magistrate, 
' '  thou  art  charged  with  corruptly  and  wick- 
edly taking  Goodman  Barnes  his  horse  with- 
out leave.  What  sayest  thou,  art  thou  guilty 
or  not  guilty  ?  ' ' 

' '  Your  worship, ' '  began  Beasley,   ' '  I — ' ' 

"  Waste  no  words,"  interrupted  the  magis- 
trate. '  'Art  thou  guilty  or  not  ?  " 

"  But,  your  worship,  I  knew  not  what  I 
was  doing.  Satan — " 

"Stop!  Answer  direct,  or  I  will  have 
thee  flogged  extra  for  thy  disrespect." 

"Well,  your  worship,  I  thought  to  do  a 
worthy  deed  by  putting  the  king's  officers  on 
the  track  of  the  fugitives,  and — " 

' '  What  knowest  thou  of  worthy  deeds  ? 
Didst  ever  do  one  in  thy  life  ?  If  so,  nobody 
hath  heard  of  it.  Now  took  you  the  horse, 
or  not  ?  " 


102  THE  REGICIDES. 

"Yes,  but—" 

"  Guilty,  Mr.  Clerk.  Forty  lashes  save 
one  at  the  public  whipping -post.  Call  the 
next,  Mr.  Crier." 

Beasley  slunk  back  to  the  corner  a  perfect 
picture  of  abject  misery. 

"  James  Stenton!  "  said  the  crier. 

Stenton  was  led  forward,  and  stood  looking 
his  judges  in  the  face  awaiting  his  trial.  He 
had  stood  there  so  often  that  the  experience 
was  no  novelty.  He  was  a  fellow  of  notori- 
ously bad  morals,  and  usually  took  his  med- 
icine publicly  with  weekly  regularity.  It 
was  generally  Sabbath-breaking,  or  drunk- 
enness, or  some  petty  theft.  On  this  occasion 
his  former  crimes  paled  into  insignificance, 
for  it  was  whispered  about  the  room  that  he 
had,  upon  sundry  and  divers  days,  and  in  full 
view  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  perpe^ 
trated  the  diabolical  outrage  of  lighting  his 
pipe  in  the  public  street !  Surely,  hanging 
would  be  too  mild  a  punishment  to  fit  so  das- 
tardly a  deed  ! 

' '  What  sayest  thou  for  thyself,  art  thou 
guilty  or  not  guilty  ?  "said  Master  Crane, 
after  stating  to  the  accused  the  nature  of  the 
charge. 

"  Waal,  if  I  done  it,  ye'd  better  prove  it," 


THE  REGICIDES.  103 

replied  Stenton,  with  a  leer  at  the  crowd,  at 
which  a  titter  went  around  the  room. 

' '  Silence  !  "  commanded  the  crier,  bring- 
ing his  staff  down  on  the  floor. 

' '  Three  witnesses  were  sworn,  and  Good- 
man Blake  was  called. 

' '  What  knowest  thou  of  this  matter,  Good- 
man?" asked  the  magistrate. 

"  Very  little,  may  it  please  your  honors," 
said  Goodman  Blake.  "On  Wednesday 
Stenton  met  me  on  the  street  and  asked  the 
loan  of  my  tinder-box  to  light  his  pipe.  I 
told  him  it  was  against  the  laws  of  the  colony 
to  light  tobacco  on  the  street,  whereat  he  re- 
plied that  he  knew  it  not,  and  passed  on." 

'  'And  you  loaned  him  not  the  tinder-box  ?  ' ' 

"  Nay,  he  did  not  ask  it  after  I  made  him. 
acquainted  with  the  law." 

"  That  is  all,  Goodman  Blake." 

Goody  Parsons  was  called. 

"  Goody,  thy  name  is  down  here  as  a  wit- 
ness. What  hast  thou  to  say  about  the 
case?  " 

"Your  worship,"  said  Goody,  making  a 
courtesy,  "  the  prisoner  stopped  me  while  on 
my  way  across  the  street  to  Goody  Chapman's 
with  a  pan  of  live  coals,  and  begged  the  priv- 
ilege of  lighting  his  pipe  at  them.  I  knew 


104  THE  REGICIDES. 

no  law  against  it,  and  gave  him  the  permis^ 
sion  he  desired." 

"And  he  thereupon  lit  his  pipe  ?  " 

"  Yes,  your  worship." 

"And  in  the  public  street?" 

"  Yes,  your  worship." 

"  You  may  take  your  seat,  Goody." 

Thomas  Jones,  witness,  called. 

' '  Thomas,  thou  art  the  son  of  our  much 
esteemed  townsman,  Master  William  Jones?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"And. thou  art  a  good  lad  I  know  by  thy 
looks.  Now  what  dost  thou  know  about  the 
case  ?  " 

"Nothing,  sir." 

' '  What  ?     Nothing  at  all  ?  " 

"  I  saw  not  the  prisoner  light  his  pipe." 

"  But  saw  you  him  smoking  ?  " 

"  I  have  seen  him  smoking  very  often," 

"  On  the  street  ?" 

"Not  on  the  street." 

"  When  saw  you  him  smoking  last  ?  " 

"  It  was  either  Wednesday  or  Thursday,  I 
cannot  remember  which." 

"  Of  course  it  was  Wednesday,"  suggested 
Master  Malbon,  and  on  this  the  magistrates 
conferred  for  a  moment. 

' '  Have  you  no  way  of  determining  whether 


THE  REGICIDES.  105 

it  was  Wednesday  or  Thursday,"  said  Master 
Crane. 

"None,  but  it  seems  to  me  more  like 
Thursday." 

Master  Malbon  gave  the  witness  a  look  that 
plainly  showed  the  disgust  he  felt. 

' '  Thou  art  right  to  stick  straight  to  thy 
belief,  Thomas.  -That  is  all.  You  may  go." 

"What  think  you?"  said  Master  Crane, 
turning  to  his  associates  for  a  whispered  con- 
sultation. 

' '  I  hardly  think  the  case  is  made  out, ' ' 
said  Master  Gilbert.  I  have  faith  in  Goody 
Parsons'  testimony,  but  it  is  dangerous  to 
convict  on  the  word  of  a  single  witness." 

' '  He  is  a  worthless  fellow,  and  ought  to  be 
flogged  on  general  principles,"  was  the  senti- 
ment of  Master  Malbon. 

Stenton  heard  this,  and  straightened  up. 
He  looked  so  fixedly  at  the  magistrate  that 
the  latter  quailed  as  his  eyes  met  the  steady 
gaze. 

"What  dost  thou  suggest,  Master  Gil- 
bert?" 

' '  Methinks  an  admonition  and  a  warning 
would  fit  the  case  best,"  replied  Gilbert. 

"And  you,  Master  Malbon?" 

"Twenty  lashes!  " 


106  THE  REGICIDES. 

Master  Crane  looked  up  the  law. 

' '  The  most  we  can  give  him  is  an  hour  in 
the  stocks. ' '  * 

"  Then  a  full  hour  in  the  stocks." 

Master  Crane  thought  a  minute,  then  con- 
cluded to  vote  with  Malbon. 

"  Perhaps  the  prisoner  hath  something  to 
say,"  suggested  Gilbert. 

"Certainly,"  said  Master  Crane.  "Sten- 
ton,  hast  thou  anything  to  say  ?  ' ' 

"  Waal,  nothing,  only  that  I  tried  to  light 
the  pipe,  as  Goody  Parsons  says,  but  the 
durned  thing  wouldn't  draw,  and  so  I  s'pose 
I  didn't  light  it,  did  I  ?  " 

"  Goody  Parsons  saith  that  you  lighted  the 
pipe  at  her  pan  of  coals.  That  is  her  testi- 
mony, and  I  believe  it.  An  hour  in  the 
stocks,  Stenton,  and  try  and  keep  straight  in 
the  future.  We  take  no  pleasure  in  punish- 
ing thee  every  week.  It  is  thine  own  doing." 

The  constable  led  Stenton  away,  and  when 
half  way  down  the  room  the  prisoner  stopped 
and  turned  toward  the  judges.  A  look  of 
bitter  hate  was  in  his  eyes. 

"Master  Malbon,"  he  said,  hoarsely,  rais- 
ing his  voice,  "  the  time  will  come  when  thou 
wilt  not  have  to  go  into  the  street  to  light  thy 

*  See  Appendix  C. 


THE  REGICIDES.  107 

pipe.  Hell  is  filled  with  burning  coals,  and 
thou  wilt  not  need  to  look  far  for  them  '  " 

"  Silence  !  "  thundered  the  crier. 

"  Foolish  fellow  !  "  said  Master  Crane,  as 
Stenton  was  being  led  back  to  the  bar. 
"  Thou  art  in  contempt  of  court." 

"  If  I  could  only  express  the  contempt  I 
feel  for  one  member  of  it,  I  would  take  all  the 
lashes  ye  could  give  me  and  be  glad,"  said 
the  prisoner,  keeping  his  eyes  fixed  on  Mas- 
ter Malbon.  "As  for  you,  Master  Crane,  and 
you,  Master  Gilbert,  I 'respect  ye  both,  but  as 
for  that  other—  ' ' 

' '  Silence  !  ' '  roared  the  crier,  nearly  split- 
ting his  throat  in  the  effort. 

And  there  was  silence.  One  might  have 
heard  a  whisper  across  the  room.  Each 
looked  at  his  neighbor  and  wondered  what 
would  follow.  In  the  meanwhile  the  judges 
were  in  consultation.  Master  Malbon  had 
considerable  difficulty  in  controlling  himself, 
but  took  some  satisfaction  in  being  able  to  fix 
the  penalty  for  the  insult.  When  it  was  set- 
tled Master  Crane  made  the  announcement. 

"Stenton,"  he  said  impressively,  "thou 
hast  committed  a  grievous  offense  by  insulting 
an  honorable  member  of  this  court.  We  try  to 
deal  fairly  and  justly  with  thee.  If  thou  wert 


108  THE  REGICIDES. 

as  just  to  thyself  we  would  have  no  need  to 
deal  with  thee.  Couldst  thou  have  curbed 
thy  tongue  thy  freedom  would  have  been  re- 
gained after  an  hour  in  the  stocks.  For  thy 
insult  to  Master  Malbon  he  hath  been  asked 
to  name  the  penalty,  wrhich  he  hath  done. 
It  is  the  sentence  of  this  court  that  thou  shalt 
be  holden  and  bound  unto  the  service  of  Mas- 
ter Malbon  at  hard  labor  and  scant  fare  for 
the  term  of  three  months." 

Stenton  said  not  a  word  as  he  was  being 
led  back  to  the  prisoners'  corner,  but  there 
was  a  buzz  of  conversation  among  the  spec- 
tators. 

' '  The  fare  will  be  scant  enow,  the  L,ord 
knows  !  ' '  whispered  one. 

"  It  will  break  the  old  skinflint's  heart  that 
he  can't  work  him  Sundays  !  "  said  another. 

A  mysterious  fire  on  Master  Malbon's  farm 
a  few  weeks  later  was  never  fully  traced,  al- 
though the  magistrate  had  Stenton  arrested 
and  tried.  He  being  objected  to  as  a  trial 
judge,  the  prisoner  was  duly  acquitted  after  a 
full  and  fair  trial,  Matthew  Gilbert  presiding. 
The  only  circumstance  that  really  told 
against  him  was  a  lemark  that  he  had  made 
soon  after  the  fire,  that  Master  Malbon  had 
paid  rather  dearly  for  his  three  months' 


THE  REGICIDES.  109 

work,  but  that  did  not  prove  that  the  pris- 
oner had  set  the  fire. 

Abner  Welton,  for  using  profane  language, 
was  next  called,  and  after  a  short  hearing 
was  sentenced  to  receive  twenty  lashes  at  the 
public  whipping-post. 

Israel  Bodman  was  found  guilty  of  theft 
from  a  workwoman  who  was  sheltering  and 
feeding  him,  and  the  officer  was  ordered  to 
deal  nine-and-thirty  good  and  vigorous  blows 
of  the  whip  upon  his  bare  back. 

There  were  but  two  culprits  left  to  be 
tried,  a  man  and  a  woman,  and  every  eye  was 
now  turned  toward  them. 

"Will  Harding  and  Martha  Malbon !  " 
called  the  crier. 

Neither  Martha  nor  her  mother  had  believ- 
ed that  the  magistrate  would  carry  out  his 
intention  of  bringing  his  daughter  before  the 
court.  While  he  had  not  actually  spoken 
the  words,  both  understood  that  to  be  the 
import  of  his  threat  of  the  night  before,  but 
had  thought  the  idea  too  preposterous  to  be 
worthy  of  serious  notice. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Mistress 
Malbon  being  busy  with  her  work,  she  was 
interrupted  by  a  rap  at  the  kitchen  door. 

"  Come  in,"  she  said,  and  in  came  Ebene- 


no  THE  REGICIDES. 

zer  Hopkins,  a  constable  of  the  town,  bearing 
a  warrant  signed  by  Richard  Malbon,  magis- 
trate, commanding  that  Martha  Malbon, 
spinster,  be  arrested  and  brought  before  the 
court  forthwith.  The  mistress  listened  to  the 
reading  of  the  paper  with  a  dazed  look  in  her 
eyes,  then  put  both  hands  to  her  head,  stag- 
gered against  the  table,  and  fell  in  a  heap  on 
the  floor.  The  officer  was  picking  her  up 
when  Martha  came  in  from  another  room. 

"  What  does  this  mean  ?  "  she  cried,  rush- 
ing to  her  mother's  assistance. 

The  constable  made  his  errand  known. 

' '  Where  is  the  man  who  calls  himself  my 
father?" 

' '  I  left  him  at  the  meeting-house  with  the 
other  magistrates." 

"  Go  and  bid  him  come  here,  that  he  may 
look  upon  his  work  before  he  proceeds 
further!"  cried  Martha,  dashing  some  water 
in  her  mother's  face,  then  raising  her  head  to 
her  own  lap. 

"My  orders  are  final.  Master  Malbon 
bade  me  serve  this  warrant,  and  I  can  but 
obey." 

"  Go  next  door  and  call  Mistress  Daven- 
port then.  Seest  thou  not  that  my  mother  is 
ill?" 


THE  REGICIDES.  m 

"My  orders  are — " 

"Brute!  who  cares  for  thy  orders?"  ex- 
claimed Martha,  rising  and  stamping  her  foot ; 
and  before  Hopkins  could  get  his  dull  wits  in- 
to action,  Martha  had  rushed  out  of  the  door 
and  slammed  it  behind  her.  Hopkins  overtook 
her,  however,  as  she  was  entering  the  parson- 
age gate,  and  seized  her  roughly  around  the 
waist.  A  loud  scream  brought  the  minister 
and  his  wife  to  the  door,  but  not  before  the 
constabulary  face  had  been  well  scratched  by 
Martha's  active  fingers. 

As  soon  as  the  necessary  explanations  were 
made,  the  minister  bade  his  wife  look  after 
Mistress  Malbon,  and  he  went  with  Martha 
and  Hopkins  to  the  meeting-house.  The 
girl  was  now  wrought  to  a  pitch  of  ex- 
citement that  seemed  to  threaten  her  reason. 
Master  Davenport  tried  to  quiet  her  by  saying 
it  must  be  all  a  mistake,  and  that  he  would 
speak  to  her  father  as  soon  as  they  arrived  at 
the  court. 

"  I  have  no  father  !"  she  cried  frantically. 
' '  What  father  would  treat  a  daughter  as  he 
hath  treated  me,  were  my  sins  as  black  as  the 
foul  pit !  See  Master  Gilbert,  who  hath  a 
heart,  but  waste  not  thy  breath  with  the 
other."  And  so  she  raved,  refusing  to  be 


112  THE  REGICIDES. 

comforted,  until  they  reached  the  meeting- 
house steps.  There,  after  pausing  a  minute, 
she  regained  her  composure  and  entered  the 
building  with  a  firm  step.  The  full  meaning 
of  her  appearance  did  not  dawn  upon  the 
minds  of  the  lookers-on  for  some  time,  and  in- 
deed the  three  entered  so  quietly  that  but  few 
noticed  them  at  all.  The  constable  led  his 
prisoner  to  a  seat  near  the  door,  and  the  min- 
ister walked  quickly  to  where  the  magistrates 
sat.  The  whispered  announcement  that  Mas- 
ter Malbon's  daughter  had  been  arrested, 
doubtless  through  some  mistake,  seemed  to 
create  no  surprise.  The  magistrate  himself 
had  told  his  colleagues  of  his  action  when 
they  first  came  together,  and  though  both 
tried  to  dissuade  him  from  his  purpose,  he  had 
remained  immovable.  "  Had  it  been  one 
of  my  servants,"  he  had  replied,  it  would 
have  been  my  duty  to  see  that  proper  punish- 
ment was  meted  out.  I  spent  a  portion  of 
the  night  in  prayer  and  Scripture  reading, 
and  the  law  of  Moses  requireth  that  this  thing 
shall  be  done.  I  cannot  so  far  forget  my 
duty  as  to  shield  my  own  child  from  the  con- 
sequences of  wrong.  L,et  an  example  be 
made." 

The  conference  being  over,  the    minister 


THE  REGICIDES.  1 13 

went  and  sat  down  by  Martha's  side.  By  the 
time  the  case  was  reached  she  had  so  far  been 
composed  by  his  counsel  as  to  be  able  to  con- 
trol herself  fairly  well.  But  the  sound  of  the 
crier's  voice  seemed  to  strike  her  like  a  blow. 
She  staggered  to  her  feet  but  sank  back,  and 
two  constables  had  to  steady  her  as  she 
walked  to  her  place  in  front  of  the  judges. 
Harding  came  forward  of  his  own  accord. 

"  Harding,"  said  Master  Crane,  "  thou  art 
charged  with  enticing  this  spinster  from  her 
home  in  the  night  to  a  venison  feast,  and  art 
also  accused  of  filthy  dalliance  with  her. 
What  sayest  thou,  art  thou  guilty  or  not 
guilty?  " 

"  I  am  not  guilty,"  replied  Hardiifg. 
"  Neither  is  this  lady." 

"Stop  right  there.  She  may  answer  for 
herself.  Mistress  Malbon,  thou  art  charged 
with  disobedience,  with  stealing  from  thy 
parents,  and  filthy  dalliance  with  Will  Hard- 
ing. What  sayest  thou,  art  thou  guilty  or 
not  guilty  ?  ' ' 

Martha's  face  blushed  crimson  as  she  heard 
the  accusation  made.  She  would  have  fallen 
but  for  the  support  of  the  two  officers. 

"  Who  hath  made  this  charge  ?  "  she  finally 
found  strength  to  ask. 


ii A  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  magistrates  conferred  a  minute. 

' '  Thy  question  is  a  proper  one.  Thou  art 
accused  by  thy  own  father." 

Master  Crane's  stern  features  seemed  to 
have  some  trouble  in  keeping  their  compo- 
sure, and  Gilbert  hitched  about  uneasily  in 
his  chair.  Neither  had  any  relish  for  the 
work  before  them. 

' '  Then  ask  my  accuser  if  he  thinks  I  have 
done  these  things  !  "  said  Martha,  whose  face 
had  suddenly  become  deathly  pale.  "  Yes,  I 
did  disobey  him,  because  I  am  a  child  no 
longer,  and  my  reasonable  request  was  cru- 
elly denied.  I  took  a  handful  of  cakes  from 
my  mother's  pantry,  but  I  made  them  myself, 
and  I  brought  them  back.  Doth  my  mother 
accuse  me  of  stealing  ?  Ask  her  !  No,  thou 
canst  not  do  that.  She  lieth  senseless  on  the 
floor  at  home  !  ' ' 

Martha  paused,  her  eyes  fixed  on  her 
father,  and  the  two  associate  judges  turned  to 
confer  with  him. 

"  Let  the  case  proceed,"  said  Master  Mal- 
bon.  "This  is  the  public  business.  I  can- 
not let  my  domestic  affairs  interfere  with  my 
public  duties." 

' '  What  sayest  thou  to  the  other  charges  ?  ' ' 
inquired  Master  Crane,  as  gently  as  possible. 


THE  REGICIDES.  115 

"I  say  they  are  false!"  cried  Martha, 
struggling  to  free  her  arms. 

"  Master  Malbon,"  whispered  Gilbert, 
"this  is  a  matter  of  grave  importance.  It 
should  be  carefully  inquired  into  before  pro- 
ceeding further.  L,et  us  take  an  adjourn- 
ment for  a  few  days  until  this  thing  can  be 
investigated." 

"There  is  no  need,"  replied  Malbon. 
"  The  case  is  perfectly  clear.  Two  witnesses 
came  to  me  this  morning  after  arriving  at  the 
court-room  and  told  me  things  that  are  damn- 
ing. I  would  not  ask  it  for  my  own  daughter 
any  sooner  than  I  would  for  a  servant.  Let 
the  case  proceed." 

' '  What  witnesses  hast  thou  to  be  called  ?  ' ' 
inquired  Master  Crane. 

"  First  call  Patience  Glover,"  said  Malbon. 

Patience  Glover  called  and  sworn  to  tell 
the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but 
the  truth. 

"  Well,  mistress,  what  dost  thou  know 
about  the  case  ?  "  asked  Master  Crane. 

"  I  was  at  the  venison  feast  at  the  farms," 
said  Patience,  a  girl  of  perhaps  seventeen, 
who  seemed  particularly  anxious  to  make  an 
impression  against  the  prisoner.  "At  about 
nine  of  the  clock  I  saw  Will  Hardinp-  whisper 


Ii6  THE  REGICIDES. 

to  Martha  Malbon,  and  both  left  the  company 
for  a  short  time.  I  saw  them  kissing." 

"  'Tis  false  !  "  interrupted  the  prisoner. 

"  Thy  turn  will  come,"  said  Master  Crane. 
"  Do  not  interrupt  the  witness." 

"When  they  came  back,"  continued 
Patience,  ' '  the  prisoner  tossed  her  head  high 
in  the  air  and  gave  me  a  disdainful  look." 

' '  Knowest  thou  aught  else  ? ' ' 

41  She  knew  Will  Harding  was  going  with 
me,  and  tried  her  best  to  get  him  away  by 
her  arts  and  her  wheedlings." 

"  I  asked  if  thou  knewest  aught  else  con- 
cerning this  case.  Thy  private  grievances 
concern  us  not." 

"  Well,  I  suppose  I  could  say  more." 

"  Thou  art  sworn  to  tell  the  whole  truth." 

"I  guess  that's  all." 

At  this  point  in  the  proceedings  Devotion's 
Uncle  John  rose  and  addressed  the  court. 
Being  a  lawyer  he  had  come  in  to  note  how 
the  courts  were  conducted  in  the  colonies. 

"May  it  please  the  court,"  he  said,  "I 
observe  that  this  young  lady  hath  no  counsel. 
I  am  a  lawyer  by  profession — Jonathan  Gray, 
of  Condon — and  beg  leave  to  place  my 
services  at  her  disposal.  It  is  quite  plain 
that  this  witness  needs  cross-examination  in 


THE  REGICIDES.  117 

order  to  bring  out  the  real  truth  of  the  mat- 
ter." 

"  We  are  glad  to  make  thee  welcome,  Mas- 
ter Gray,"  responded  the  presiding  magis- 
trate, "but  it  is  our  custom  to  do  without 
lawyers  and  make  such  inquiries  as  seem  to 
us  best.  We  must  therefore  be  allowed  to 
extend  to  thee  our  thanks  for  thy  proffered 
services,  and  at  the  same  time  to  respectfully 
decline  them." 

Uncle  John  sat  down. 

"Call  Prudence  Dorkins,"  whispered  Mas- 
ter Malbon. 

Prudence  Dorkins  was  called  and  sworn. 

"  I  saw  Will  Harding  whisper  to  the  pris- 
oner and  saw  both  leave  the  room  together, ' ' 
began  Prudence,  without  waiting  to  be  ques- 
tioned. "I  followed  them  unobserved,  and 
saw  Harding  kiss  the  prisoner  behind  the  big 
tree  in  Master  Sperry's  yard." 

"  Oh,  what  conspiracy  is  this!  "  groaned 
Martha,  turning  her  head  toward  where  Mas- 
ter Davenport  sat.  ' '  They  know  it  is  not 
true!" 

Master  Gilbert  took  the  witness  in  hand. 

4 '  Thou  art  a  cousin  of  Patience  Glover,  I 
believe  ? ' ' 


Il8  THE  REGICIDES. 

"Yes,  your  worship,  but  that  would  make 
no  dif— ' ' 

' '  Harding  hath  kept  company  with  her 
until  recently,  hath  he  not?  " 

"Yes,  but  I  wouldn't  tell  a  lie  for  any- 
body." 

' '  She  is  a  little  jealous  of  the  prisoner,  is 
she  not?" 

"  Oh,  no,  your  worship." 

' '  Hath  she  not  so  expressed  herself  in  thy 
hearing  ? ' ' 

The  witness  turned  very  red,  and  tried  to 
stammer  a  reply. 

"  Well— not  exactly—" 

"And  you  sympathize  with  her,  do  you 
not?" 

"  I  don't  think  he  treated  Patience  right." 

"That  will  do." 

Uncle  John  looked  relieved.  He  wanted 
to  shake  hands  with  Matthew  Gilbert. 

The  complainant  having  no  more  witnesses 
to  produce,  the  defendant  called  Devotion 
Smythe,  who  testified  that  she  was  in  the 
company  of  the  prisoner  every  minute  of  the 
time  in  question,  and  that  no  such  things  had 
happened  as  stated  by  the  two  witnesses  for 
the  prosecution ;  that  the  acts  referred  to 
could  not  have  taken  place  without  her 
knowledge. 


THE  REGICIDES.  1 19 

Uncle  John  begged  leave  to  testify,  and 
stated  that  he  saw  none  of  the  acts  complained 
of,  though  he  was  in  the  company  of  the  pris- 
oner during  the  entire  evening.  He  also 
stated,  as  tending  to  affect  the  credibility  of 
the  complainant's  witnesses,  that  they  con- 
ducted themselves  in  a  very  loud,  boisterous 
and  unbecoming  manner,  and  appeared  to  be 
unduly  familiar  with  some  of  the  farm  hands. 

Martha  acknowledged  her  disobedience, 
and  the  taking  of  the  cakes,  but  denied  the 
act  of  dalliance  testified  to  by  the  two  female 
witnesses. 

The  testimony  being  all  in,  the  magistrates 
held  a  whispered  consultation,  while  every 
ear  was  strained  to  catch  the  import  of  their 
conference.  It  was  plain  that  the  audience 
was  with  Martha,  though  some  were  quite 
pronounced  in  their  hostility  toward  Harding, 
who,  it  appeared,  did  not  bear  the  best  of  rep- 
utations in  certain  quarters. 

The  consultation  lasted  a  full  quarter  of  an 
hour,  and  it  was  observed  that  both  Master 
Crane  and  Master  Gilbert  were  opposing  a 
severe  penalty,  though  it  seemed  that  a  ma- 
jority of  the  court  held  that  a  case  had  been 
made  out. 

•' Harding,"  said  Master  Crane  at  length^ 


120  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  thou  art  found  guilty  of  enticing  Master 
Malbon's  daughter  away  from  her  home  in 
the  night,  and  holding  filthy  dalliance  with 
her  in  the  shape  of  kissing,  which  is  held  to 
be  an  abomination  outside  of  wedlock.  The 
sentence  of  the  court  is  that  thou  shalt  be 
publicly  flogged  at  the  whipping-post.  Forty 
strokes  save  one,  Mr.  Clerk." 

The  bespectacled  scribe  took  up  his  goose- 
quill,  dipped  it  in  his  ink-horn,  and  wrote  the 
record. 

"Mistress  Malbon,"  continued  the  magis- 
trate, "  there  has  been  some  reluctance  on  the 
part  of  a  majority  of  the  court  to  impose  a 
severe  penalty  upon  thee.  The  evidence  is 
not  of  the  strongest,  though  two  witnesses 
have  positively  sworn  to  thy  guilt,  and  thou 
thyself  owned  to  the  acts  of  disobedience  and 
theft.  The  court — or  a  majority  thereof — 
regrets  that  the  case  has  been  brought  against 
thee,  it  being  a  matter  rather  between  parent 
and  child  than  of  public  discipline.  But  the 
case  is  before  us  and  hath  been  proved  to  our 
satisfaction.  The  fact  that  thou  art  a  magis- 
trate's daughter  must  not  deter  us  from  per- 
forming our  duty.  On  two  of  the  counts 
against  thee  the  least  we  can  do  is  to  order  a 
public  whipping  ;  on  that  of  disobedience  we 


THE  REGICIDES.  121 

shall  suspend  judgment.  Ten  lashes  for 
stealing,  Mr.  Clerk,  and  twenty  for  yielding 
to  filthy  dalliance  with  Will  Harding." 

Martha  gradually  sank  down  a  dead  weight 
in  the  arms  of  the  constables  who  held  her, 
and  she  was  carried  out  to  the  steps  for  a 
draught  of  fresh  air. 

The  clerk's  hand  was  a  little  unsteady, 
and  he  wiped  his  spectacles  before  making 
his  entry.  He  then  dipped  his  goose-quill 
once  more  in  the  ink-horn  and  wrote  the  rec- 
ord, which,  after  more  than  two  centuries, 
stands  as  a  monument  to  the  manner  in 
which  some  Puritan  fathers  dealt  with  their 
erring  children.* 

XI. 

As  the  three  pursuers  galloped  out  into  the 
open  country,  close  upon  the  heels  of  the  fugi- 
tives, as  they  felt  certain,  their  joy  knew  no 
bounds.  They  dug  their  spurs  into  the  sides 
of  their  faithful  horses,  and  horses  and  riders 
were  soon  half  covered  with  the  flying  mud. 

"We  have  them!  "  said  Kellond,  exult- 
ingly,  when  the  three  were  well  out  of  the 
town.  "  They  can  never  escape  us  now  !  " 

*See  Appendix  n 


122  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Friend  Kellond  is  mentally  cultivating 
his  lordly  acres,"  said  Kirke,  with  a  sly 
glance  at  Brockton. 

"  Ay,  and  a  handsome  fortune,  too,  to  earn 
in  a  month,"  replied  Kellond,  the  while 
gloating  to  himself. 

"  Well,  I  hope  it  will  all  come  true,  but  I 
shall  not  visit  the  plow-maker  until  I  get  my 
deeds.  There  is  many  a  slip  between  the 
flip-mug  and  the  lip,  as  the  proverb  saith." 

"Dost  thou  for  a  moment  think,  Friend 
Kirke,  that  two  marked  men  like  these,  with 
but  half  a  day's  start  in  such  a  country,  could 
elude  the  grasp  of  the  law  ?" 

"  I  would  that  they  did  not,  but  I'm  blest 
if  they  haven't  already  crawled  away  from 
under  our  very  noses." 

' '  Odds  bullets  and  bludgeons !  What  is  one 
failure,  man,  in  a  game  like  this  ?  In  every 
war  a  battle  or  two  must  be  lost  at  the  start, 
just  to  whip  the  army  into  line." 

"  I  have  heard  that  Hannibal  and  Caesar 
held  similar  theories,"  said  Kirke,  laughing 
in  his  sleeve  at  his  friend's  confidence,  in 
which  he  really  had  little  share.  "Well,  I 
fondly  wish,  General  Kellond,  that  our  army 
may  never  be  whipped  in  any  other  sense. 

An  hour's  hard  riding  brought  them  to  the 


THE  REGICIDES.  123 

Stockade  of  logs  surrounding  the  village  of 
Milford.  With  panting  horses  they  rode 
through  the  gate  and  entered  the  main 
street.  They  questioned  the  first  man  they 
met. 

"  Yea,  good  sirs,  those  ye  seek  spent  well- 
nigh  the  whole  afternoon  here.  They  dined 
with  the  parson,  and  rested  their  horses,  and 
it  is  not  above  an  hour  since  they  left,"  re- 
plied the  man. 

Kellond's  eye  brightened. 

"  Our  thanks  for  thy  words  ;  but  tell  me,  I 
prithee,  went  they  toward  the  west  ?  " 

"Yea,  and  it  was  their  plan  to  cross  the 
river  before  dark,  and  to  journey  onward  to 
Fairfield  in  the  moonlight.  Be  ye  friends  of 
theirs?  " 

' '  We  hope  for  the  honor  of  a  closer  ac- 
quaintance," said  Kirke,  while  Kellond  hesi- 
tated for  an  answer. 

Again  they  put  spurs  to  their  horses  and 
galloped  out  into  the  open  country.  The  sun 
was  within  an  hour  of  setting,  and  threw  a 
rich  crimson  glow  upon  the  snow-covered 
fields.  But  the  riders  had  no  thoughts  for 
beauty.  Their  breasts  were  well-nigh  burst- 
ing with  joy  at  the  prospect  of  a  sudden  cap- 
ture. The  jaded  horses  fairly  flew  over  the 


124  THE  REGICIDES. 

road.  Finally,  through  the  bare  trees  there 
appeared  a  glimmer  of  the  sun  shining  on  the 
water. 

"  A  lake  !  "  exclaimed  Kellond. 

"More  likely  an  arm  of  the  sea,"  said 
Kirke,  as  they  approached  nearer. 

1 '  In  any  event  we  must  make  haste  to  go 
around  it,"  said  Kellond,  a  little  vexed. 
' '  Every  hour  is  worth  an  hundred  pounds 
now." 

In  a  few  minutes  they  had  reached  the 
bank. 

"  The  Ousatonic  River,  as  I'm  an  idiot !  " 
exclaimed  Brockton  in  dismay.  "  I  thought 
it  was  the  other  side  of  Fairfield ! ' ' 

' '  It  hath  evidently  changed  its  course 
since  thou  wert  at  school,"  said  Kirke  dryly 
as  he  cast  his  eye  up  and  down  the  river, 
"but  the  question  now  before  the  lords  and 
commons  is  how  to  get  across." 

"  We  must  find  a  settler  or  an  Indian,  and 
that  soon,"  said  Brockton,  showing  uneasi- 
ness. "  Those  clouds  in  the  west  betoken 
that  there  will  be  but  a  sorry  moon  this 
night." 

"Thou  art  doubtless  right,"  said  Kellond, 
"but  which  way  are  we  to  go?  There  is 
nausrht  like  a  road  in  either  direction." 


THE  REGICIDES.  125 

"This  freshly  broken  bridle-path  that  skirts 
the  river  will  bring  us  to  some  habitation 
sooner  or  later, ' '  replied  Brockton.  ' '  Do  you 
two  ride  to  the  south,  while  I  see  what  can  be 
found  toward  the  north.  When  either  finds 
the  desired  assistance,  let  him.  return  to  this 
spot  and  wait  for  the  other." 

"  Agreed,  and  do  ye  make  every  haste. 
The  sun  will  be  set  in  less  than  an  hour. ' ' 

The  two  officers  were  obliged  to  ride  In- 
dian file  and  to  pick  their  way  slowly,  owing 
to  the  narrowness  and  irregularity  of  the  path. 
At  times  it  wound  around  high  ledges  of 
rocks  where  every  precaution  had  to  be  taken 
to  avoid  slipping  into  the  river.  Again  it  led 
around  a  dangerous  morass  which  it  was  im- 
possible to  cross.  Kellond  was  furious  at  the 
delay,  and  Kirke  lost  for  a  time  his  wonted 
good  humor.  They  were  both  uttering  impre- 
cations against  the  luckless  Brockton,  when 
they  suddenly  came  near  running  over  an 
Indian  who  was  seated  on  a  rock  by  the  path. 
He  was  a  big,  handsome  fellow,  and  wore  a 
large  head-piece  of  feathers,  which  extended 
far  down  his  back.  A  huge  tomahawk  that 
projected  from  his  belt  indicated  his  prodigious 
strength.  He  was  unconcernedly  smoking  a 
long  pipe  as  he  gazed  down  at  the  reflection 


126  THE  REGICIDES. 

of  the  setting  sun  in  the  water.  He  paid  **o 
attention  whatever  to  the  intruders.  They 
stood  looking  at  him  for  a  few  moments,  un- 
decided whether  to  accost  him  or  not. 

"  Ahem  !"  said  Kellond  finally. 

The  Indian  made  no  response. 

The  two  traders  exchanged  glances. 

"  Try  again,"  said  Kirke  with  his  eyes. 

"Ahem!" 

This  time  a  little  louder.  But  the  Indian 
still  remained  impassive. 

It  was  two  to  one,  but  neither  appeared  to 
like  the  looks  of  the  pDwerful  arm  and  the 
great  tomahawk  that  hung  close  beside  it. 
They  withdrew  a  few  paces  and  held  a  whis- 
pered consultation.  It  was  decided  to  try 
what  a  little  more  boldness  would  do.  They 
dismounted  and  advanced  on  foot.  This  was 
certainly  the  most  puzzling  specimen  of 
humanity  they  had  ever  met.  They  halted 
about  a  rod  distant,  and  Kellond  cautiously 
opened  fire. 

1 '  Most  noble  sir,  we  would  speak  with 
thee." 

The  Indian  slowly  rolled  his  eyes  around 
and  took  in  his  questioner  without  moving 
his  head,  and  continued  smoking. 

Another  exchange  of  glances. 


THE  REGICIDES.  127 

1 '  We  want  to  cross  the  river, ' '  explained 
Kirke,  thinking  a  little  more  directness  might 
avail. 

But  it  did  not.  The  smoker  was  as  impas- 
sive as  ever. 

Kellond's  anger  began  to  rise,  and  without 
stopping  to  reflect  as  to  the  consequences, 
laid  his  hand  upon  one  of  his  pistols. 

"  Now  lookee  here,  Master  Aborigine,  or 
whatever  your  name  may  be,  we  must  cross 
that  river  at  once,  and  unless  you  get  out 
that  canoe  of  yours  and  ferry  us  across,  I'll 
make  them  eyes  roll  to  a  different  tu —  " 

Before  he  could  finish  he  was  seized  from 
behind,  and  in  a  twinkling  he  found  himself 
lying  on  the  ground  with  his  hands  tightly 
pinioned.  Indians  swarmed  about  him,  and 
Kirke,  who  had  received  the  same  treatment, 
was  lying  mute  upon  his  face.  Where  they 
all  came  from  was  a  mystery.  The  captives 
kicked  and  struggled  for  a  while.  Then 
Kellond  yelled  for  Brockton.  They  finally 
concluded  that  nothing  could  be  gained  by 
their  own  efforts,  and  resigned  themselves 
helplessly  into  the  hands  of  the  savages. 

The  Indian  with  the  feathers  and  the  big 
tomahawk  sat  and  finished  his  smoking  with- 
out apparently  noticing  what  was  going  on 


128  THE  REGICIDES. 

around  him.  He  then  slowly  rose  and  mo- 
tioned the  others  to  remove  the  prisoners. 
Each  was  then  taken  in  charge  by  two  strong 
savages  and  marched  off  to  the  heart  of  the 
wilderness,  while  the  horses  were  led  behind. 
They  had  traveled  perhaps  a  mile,  without  a 
word  being  spoken,  when  they  came  to  a 
large  amphitheatre  among  the  rocks.  In  the 
centre  was  a  large  fire  of  logs,  and  around  it 
were  squatted  a  few  old  men  and  children, 
trying  to  keep  warm.  Other  children  and 
half  a  score  of  squaws  were  passing  in  and 
out  of  the  wigwams  that  formed  a  circle 
around  the  camp  fire.  As  soon  as  the  pris- 
oners were  brought  in  they  were  surrounded 
by  the  women  and  children,  who  pinched 
their  flesh  and  pulled  their  hair  by  turns. 
The  "ohs"  and  "ows"  of  Kellond  seemed 
to  give  them  the  keenest  enjoyment,  and  they 
soon  left  the  less  responsive  Kirke  to  himself 
in  order  to  pay  closer  attention  to  the  one 
who  afforded  the  greater  amusement.  When 
they  had  tired  of  this  the  captives  were 
bound  anew  hand  and  foot,  and,  their  knives 
and  firearms  being  removed,  they  were  thrown 
into  a  wigwam  and  left  to  themselves. 

"  Oh  Lord  !  "    groaned  Kellond,  when  the 
savages  had  returned  to  their  camp  fire. 


THE  REGICIDES.  129 

"  Dost  think,  Friend  Kellond,that  we  will 
reach  Fairfield  ere  the  moon  goeth  down?" 
asked  Kirke,  who  could  scarce  repress  a  smile 
at  his  companion's  downcast  condition. 

"  Oh  Lord,  oh  Lord,  oh  Lord!  We  are 
done  for  this  time,  Kirke  !  We  shall  never 
escape  the  red  devils  alive  ! ' ' 

' '  Methinks  Brockton  will  deliver  us  as  soon 
as  he  learns  our  plight,"  replied  Kirke.  "It 
will  not  do  for  these  fellows  to  impede  the 
officers  of  the  law." 

' '  Damn  his  eyes  !  It  is  Brockton  who  has 
got  us  into  this  trap  !  And  we  shall  both  be 
burned  at  the  stake  in  less  than  an  hour ! 
Hear  the  devils  yell !" 

The  Indians  had  formed  in  a  circle  around 
the  fire,  and  were  letting  off  some  of  the 
exuberance  of  their  spirits  by  executing  a 
wild  dance  which  the  captives  could  see 
through  the  opening  in  the  wigwam. 

1 '  They  are  only  celebrating  some  important 
event,"  said  Kirke,  after  watching  them 
closely  for  some  time. 

"  Yea,  and  that  important  event  is  our  own 
capture.  They  always  have  a  war  dance  be- 
fore burning  their  victims ! ' ' 

"I  trow  that  the  case  be  not  so  serious. 
They  would  not  dare  to  treat  the  king's  officers 


130  THE  REGICTDES. 

thus,  and  right  within  the  borders  of  the 
colony.  Take  heart,  Friend  Kellond,  it  is 
always  the  darkest  just  before  sunrise,  as  the 
proverb  saith." 

"  How  know  they  that  we  are  the  king's 
officers?" 

"  Ah,  thou  art  man  of  infinite  resources  ! 
Why  did  we  not  think  of  it  before  ?  Show 
them  thy  papers,  and  explain  to  them  that  we 
are  willing  to  apologize  if  we  have  done  any- 
thing wrong." 

"  Kirke,  thou  hast  saved  us.  I  would  that 
I  could  shake  thy  hand.  Confound  these 
thongs,  how  they  cut  into  the  flesh  !  How 
can  we  attract  their  attention?" 

"Shout  to  them." 

"  Good  !  Kirke,  how  I  love  thee  !  Thou 
shalt  have  two  thirds  of  the  reward." 

Kellond  edged  to  the  opening  of  the  wigwam 
and  shouted  himself  hoarse,  but  his  cries  only 
seemed  to  increase  the  delight  of  the  savages. 
They  danced  and  yelled  and  brandished  their 
weapons  like  so  many  fiends. 

"  It  is  no  use,"  cried  Kellond,  as  he  sank 
back  in  despair.  "  Our  time  is  up.  Oh, 
why  were  we  such  fools  !  Why  did  we  not 
go  north  and  send  Brockton  here !  Damn 


THE  REGICIDES.  131 

Brockton  !  Damn  the  governor  !  Damn  the 
minister  !  Damn  everybody  !  ' ' 

* '  Art  sure  the  Indians  are  as  cruel  as  they 
were  wont  to  be  ?  At  Boston  we  were  told 
that  the  coming  of  the  English  had  largely 
civilized  them." 

"  lyisten  to  that  yell,  and  then  prate  of  civ- 
ilization !  They  are  like  so  many  devils  let 
loose  from  Hell !  Did  ye  not  hear  the  story 
at  Hartford,  how  in  the  Pequot  war  they 
caught  a  man  from  Wethersfield  and  flayed 
him  alive  before  they  burned  him  ?  Oh 
L/ord,  oh  I/ord,  oh  L,ord  !  " 

At  length  the  camp-fire  burned  low,  and 
the  Indians  ceased  their  pow-wow.  They 
formed  in  a  circle  about  the  dying  embers, 
some  sitting  and  some  lying  prostrate,  while 
the  chief  with  the  big  feathers  addressed 
them.  Each  then  retired  to  his  own  wig- 
wam, and  in  half  an  hour  the  only  sound  to 
be  heard  was  the  wailing  of  a  distant  cata- 
mount and  the  mournful  sighing  of  the  wind 
in  the  neighboring  tree-tops. 


132  THE  REGICIDES. 


XII. 

When  Brockton  returned  to  the  appointed 
place  without  success,  he  was  surprised  at 
not  finding  his  friends  waiting.  He  halloed 
in  vain,  and  finally  started  down  the  bridle 
path  in  quest.  It  was  quite  dark  when  he 
came  in  sight  of  the  camp  and  heard  the  pow- 
wow, and  he  then  took  in  the  situation  at  a 
glance.  His  first  impulse  was  to  enter  the 
camp  and  intercede  with  the  chief,  but  on 
reflection  he  concluded  that  some  little  indis- 
cretion had  gotten  his  friends  into  trouble, 
and  that  they  were  in  no  immediate  danger. 
He  determined  to  return  to  Milford  and  take 
counsel  with  the  authorities  there  as  to  what 
was  best  to  be  done.  He  accordingly  re- 
traced his  steps  to  the  main  road,  and  in  a 
short  time  found  himself  knocking  at  the 
door  of  Master  Robert  Treat,  the  magistrate. 
The  latter  was  seated  by  his  fireplace  read- 
ing, and  Brockton  proceeded  at  once  to  state 
his  business.  The  magistrate  heard  him 
through,  and  at  first  was  disinclined  to  inter- 
fere at  all. 

' '  Who  are  these  men  of  whom  ye  speak  ? ' ' 
he  inquired,  after  some  deliberation. 


THE  REGICIDES.  133 

' '  Special  officers  of  his  Majesty>  King 
Charles  the  Second  of  England,"  replied 
Brockton  with  some  degree  of  importance. 

"I  scarcely  approve  their  errand,"  said  the 
magistrate  curtly.  ' '  They  should  have  some- 
thing better  to  do." 

"  They  be  most  worthy  traders,  your 
honor,  to  whom  this  special  and  important 
mission  hath  been  entrusted.  They  are  held 
in  high  esteem  in  Boston,  where  they  are 
well  known.  The  governor's  commission 
showeth  that  he  hath  great  confidence  in 
them." 

Master  Treat  gravely  studied  the  fire  for 
several  minutes. 

"Think  ye,  Master  Brockton,  that  the 
hunting  of  these  two  noble  men  for  the  sole 
purpose  of  putting  them  to  death  is  a  very- 
honorable  mission  ? "  he  inquired  finally, 
looking  the  constable  steadily  in  the  eye. 

Brockton's  face  fell,  and  he  avoided  the 
honest  gaze  of  the  magistrate. 

"But  their  mission  is  a  lawful  one.  It 
hath  been  ordered  by  the  king  himself." 

"  Many  wicked  deeds  are  done  daily,  Mas- 
ter Brockton,  in  the  name  of  the  law." 

"  It  is  not  for  the  subject  to  question  the 
order  of  his  king." 


134  THE  REGICIDES. 

"Ay,"  said  the  magistrate,  his  wrath  ris- 
ing, "  and  what  is  the  motive  of  the  king  but 
to  gratify  a  low  revenge  ?  These  men  can  do 
him  no  harm.  They  are  engaged  in  no  con- 
spiracy for  his  overthrow.  They  have  done 
one  of  the  noblest  acts  in  all  history,  in  show- 
ing the  world  that  tyrants  can  no  longer 
trample  on  the  rights  of  the  people.  They 
had  no  wish  for  Charles  Stuart's  life.  They 
spent  years  in  trying  to  bring  him  to  his 
senses,  but  he  would  not  come.  They  told 
him  if  he  would  but  regard  the  rights  of  the 
people  in  a  few  particulars  even,  they  would 
support  him  right  royally  as  their  king.  He 
promised  everything  they  asked,  and  more, 
only  to  break  every  promise  and  laugh  in 
their  faces.  They  tried  him  again  and  again 
until  they  saw  there  was  no  truth  in  Charles 
Stuart,  no  hope  for  better  things.  The 
nation  was  rent  with  civil  war,  a  war  in  which 
a  king  was  trying  to  crush  his  own  people. 
There  was  no  alternative  but  to  arrest  this 
man  and  try  him  like  any  other  criminal. 
These  noble  patriots  knew  what  they  were 
doing  ;  they  knew  they  might  be  sacrificing 
everything  they  possessed  for  the  good  of 
England,  and  they  did.  They  threw  their 
wealth,  their  position,  their  homes  and  fami- 


THE  REGICIDES.  135 

lies,  even  their  lives,  on  the  altar  of  their 
country  when  they  set  their  hands  and  seals 
to  that  death  warrant.  Their  execution  by 
him  who  claims  to  have  the  welfare  of  Eng- 
land at  heart  would  be  naught  but  cold- 
blooded murder.  No,  Master  Brockton,  I  do 
not  think  I  can  help  ye !  " 

The  magistrate  grew  excited  as  he  spoke, 
and  the  constable  knew  he  was  voicing  the 
sentiment  of  nearly  every  person  in  the  colo- 
ny. Brockton  realized  the  awkwardness  of 
his  own  position,  but  his  natural  instincts  as 
a  man-hunter,  and  the  prospect  of  a  hand- 
some reward  in  case  of  success,  were  more 
than  he  could  withstand.  He  saw  no  further 
hope  of  getting  assistance  from  this  quarter  > 
and  rose  to  depart. 

' '  I  am  sorry  your  honor  finds  it  not  agree- 
able to  release  these  honest  gentlemen. 
Should  anything  serious  happen,  I  suppose  it 
will  be  proper  for  me  to  report  your  refusal, 
and  the  grounds  on  which  it  was  made,  to  the 
authorities  at  Boston.  I  beg  ye  to  remember, 
Master  Treat,  that  these  two  officers  of  the 
king  are  under  your  special  protection  at  this 
moment.  If  ye  refuse  to  save  their  lives 
when  it  might  be  done,  remember  what  I 
have  told  ye  if  serious  consequences  result." 


136  THE  REGICIDES. 

But  the  magistrate  did  not  hear.  He  was 
walking  up  and  down  the  room  with  his 
hands  behind  him,  thinking  over  a  phase  of 
the  case  that  had  not  been  presented.  He 
suddenly  stopped  before  the  constable,  who 
stood  looking  into  the  fire. 

' '  Wait  ye  here  until  I  can  go  and  consult 
with  a  friend.  Perhaps  we  can  do  something 
for  ye  after  all." 

Brockton  resumed  his  seat  while  the  mag- 
istrate buttoned  his  coat  and  reached  for 
his  cap. 

"  I  shall  return  in  half  an  hour,"  said  Mas- 
ter Treat  as  he  closed  the  door  behind  him 
and  left  his  caller  to  his  own  thoughts. 

Master  Treat  went  directly  to  the  house  of 
the  village  minister.  He  had  dined  there 
that  day  with  the  two  fugitives,  and  knew  he 
would  receive  wise  counsel.  When  he  ar- 
rived he  found  Master  Tompkins,  a  neighbor 
and  a  man  of  discretion,  sitting  with  the  min- 
ister. After  a  short  consultation  it  was  con- 
sidered best  to  help  the  two  officers  out  of 
their  predicament. 

"The  colony  will  be  well  rid  of  them," 
said  the  minister,  as  the  magistrate  rose  to 
leave,  "and  some  harm  might  befall  them 
were  they  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians." 


THE  REGICIDES.  137 

' '  Methinks  the  generals  will  not  miss 
them,"  said  Master  Tompkins,  with  a  signifi- 
cant glance  at  the  others.  "  Let  them  go." 

The  magistrate  returned  to  his  own  house, 
and  after  promising  Brockton  the  desired 
assistance  in  the  morning,  offered  him  hos- 
pitality for  the  night.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
guest  was  fast  asleep,  dreaming  of  a  paradise 
where  no  obstacles  were  thrown  in  the  con- 
stabulary pathway,  and  where  on  the  coach 
of  the  Lord  High  Constable  flashed  the  glit- 
tering arms  of  Brockton. 


XIII. 

On  the  northwest  corner  of  the  market- 
place, among  a  few  straggling  remnants  of 
primeval  forest,  stood  the  school-house. 
Here  Jonathan  Marston — ' '  Old  Mars,  the 
god  of  war,"  as  he  was  called  by  his  affec- 
tionate pupils — reigned  supreme.  The  soci- 
ety here  assembled  represented  the  only 
absolute  monarchy  within  the  limits  of  the 
original  purchase.  Everywhere  else  the 
individual  was  sovereign,  and  the  executive 
was  nothing  but  the  symbol  of  the  universal 
will.  Here  there  was  but  one  will,  and  that 
was  the  all-powerful  will  of  Jonathan  Mars- 


138  THE  REGICIDES. 

ton.  He  ruled  his  small  kingdom  with,  a  rod 
of  iron,  supplemented  by  a  long  rod  of  pliant 
birch.  No  child  that  was  entrusted  to  his 
tutelage  was  ever  spoiled  by  too  great  a  spar- 
ing of  that  rod.  Sometimes,  when  a  boy  of 
studious  inclinations  so  mastered  his  lesson 
that  the  severest  cross-examination  could  not 
shake  him,  he  was  rewarded  by  a  kind  word, 
and  held  up  as  an  example  to  his  less  fortu- 
nate fellows,  who  were  always  in  an  over- 
whelming majority.  But  nothing  like  a 
smile  ever  lit  up  his  terrible  countenance,  ex- 
cept when  some  luckless  offender  felt  his  iron 
grip  about  the  collar,  and  then  it  was  the 
grin  of  the  ogre  who  gloats  over  the  writh- 
ings  of  a  new  victim. 

This  picture  of  Jonathan  Marston  is  not 
meant  to  be  severe,  it  is  meant  to  be  simply 
true.  He  was  not  cruel  by  nature.  He  cer- 
tainly was  not  sympathetic,  but  his  instincts 
were  thoroughly  kind.  The  severity  of  Pur- 
itan discipline  acting  on  a  melancholy  tem- 
perament had  made  him  what  he  was. 
DUTY,  spelled  with  capital  letters,  and  still 
further  enlarged  by  the  magnifying  glass  of 
current  doctrine,  was  his  rule  of  life.  Pleas- 
ures he  had  none.  He  had  seen  a  kingdom 
brought  to  ruin  through  a  too  great  de- 


THE  REGICIDES.  139 

votion  to  pleasure.  The  realities  of  this  life 
and  the  next  were  too  stern  to  admit  of  any 
trifling.  The  delight  he  apparently  took  in 
flogging  a  boy  was  not  from  any  hatred  of 
the  boy  himself,  but  of  the  sin  that  was  in 
him.  He  was  simply  casting  out  devils,  and 
he  thought  they  might  take  up  a  permanent 
abode  somewhere  in  the  anatomy  if  it  were 
not  frequently  beaten,  as  we  beat  a  carpet  to 
drive  out  the  dust.  He  was,  perhaps,  a  fair 
type  of  the  extreme  Puritan  of  his  time, 
stern,  unyielding,  unlovely  and  unloving,  so 
affected  by  the  follies  of  the  English  aristoc- 
racy that  he  must  needs  go  to  the  other  ex- 
treme and  have  no  pleasures  at  all. 

Jonathan  Marston's  school-house  was  in 
keeping  with  his  character.  It  was  severely 
plain,  without  luxuries  of  any  sort,  and  con- 
tained nothing  but  the  barest  necessities.  It 
was  built  of  logs.  To  the  left,  on  entering, 
was  a  platform  raised  a  few  inches  from  the 
floor,  and  on  this  stood  the  master's  table. 
Just  back  of  this  table  and  supported  by  two 
wooden  pegs  driven  between  the  logs,  lay  a 
pile  of  birchen  goads,  symbols  of  scholastic 
authority.  On  the  table  lay  a  pile  of  freshly 
sharpened  goose-quills. 

At  the  rear  of  the  room  was  a  rude  stone 


140  THE  REGICIDES. 

fireplace  filled  with  blazing  logs,  for  the 
weather  was  still  cold.  Between  the  door 
and  the  fireplace  was  a  broad  aisle  with  a  row 
of  low  benches  on  either  side.  The  little 
boys  sat  in  front,  and  there  was  a  regular 
gradation  back  to  the  overgrown  bumpkins 
who  occupied  the  rear  seats.  The  girls  got 
but  little  learning,  and  this  at  the  dame  school 
kept  by  Mistress  Thorpe. 

Marston's  laws  were  as  numerous  and  in- 
flexible as  those  of  the  Medes  and  Persians. 
There  was  a  law  against  whispering,  another 
against  looking  off  the  book,  one  against 
hitching  about  on  the  bench,  no  matter  how 
hard  it  became  after  sitting  on  it  for  several 
hours,  one  against  asking  for  a  drink  of 
water  except  in  case  of  hiccoughs,  one  loaded 
with  dire  penalties  in  case  of  failure  to  toe  the 
mark  when  reading  or  spelling,  and  dozens 
more  that  will  occur  to  those  whose  imagina- 
tions may  have  been  touched  by  scholastic 
''rules." 

But  laughing  !  A  boy  might  whisper  if  he 
would,  or  he  might  look  off  his  book  when 
Marston  dropped  a  stick  of  wood ;  he  might 
do  a  score  of  ordinary  reprehensible  things, 
but  laugh — never  ! 

There  was  one   incident,  however,  in  the 


THE  REGICIDES.  141 

memory  of  those  present  on  this  particular 
morning,  the  recollection  of  which  made  it 
hard  for  the  boys  to  refrain  from  smiling ; 
and  smiling  was  laughing,  only  a  good  deal 
worse,  for  it  implied  a  secret  desire  to  laugh, 
and  that  was  of  the  very  essence  of  the  offense 
itself.  It  was  a  trifle  more  than  a  year  since 
a  little  boy  by  the  name  of  Klihu  Yale,  a 
cousin  of  Tommy  Jones,  had  suddenly  burst 
out  laughing  one  day  when  the  schoolroom 
was  wrapt  in  almost  deathly  stillness.  EHhu 
had  fairly  roared  for  a  minute  or  two  at  some 
humorous  reminiscence  that  had  popped  into 
his  mind,  and  then  recollecting  where  he  was, 
and  seeing  the  terrible  face  of  ' '  Old  Mars  ' ' 
glaring  at  him,  he  had  held  his  breath  for  an 
instant,  and  then  began  to  cry  as  loudly  as 
he  had  laughed.  It  was  one  of  those  strange 
nervous  reactions  that  are  sometimes  ob- 
served, though  not  so  easily  accounted  for. 
It  was  like  suddenly  reversing  an  electric 
current. 

Marston  had  walked  down  the  aisle  and 
taken  poor  Elihu  by  the  collar,  and  marched 
him  to  the  platform,  where  he  laid  him  across 
the  pedagogical  knee  and  played  a  tune  upon 
him. 

Zeke  Pendleton,  the   best  boy  in  school, 


142  THE  REGICIDES. 

was  on  this  morning  allowing  his  thoughts  to 
wander  toward  this  incident. 

Zeke  knew  that  while  Tommy  was  Elihu's 
cousin,  he  was  always  visibly  affected — but 
not  to  tears — by  the  recollection.  To-day  he 
was  seized  with  the  impulse  to  bring  the 
scene  to  Tommy's  mind.  He  quietly  took 
his  slate,  and  with  all  the  gravity  of  a 
searcher  after  mathematical  truth,  proceeded 
to  draw  the  mirth-provoking  picture.  He 
had  turned  the  corners  of  "  Old  Mars'  ' 
mouth  up,  and  was  turning  those  of  poor  Eli- 
hu's down,  when  Tommy  caught  sight  of  it. 

An  explosion  followed. 

Instantly  every  eye  was  turned  toward 
Tommy ,  whose  face  suddenly  became  blanched, 
and  then  toward  the  master. 

Jonathan  Marston  rose  from  his  seat  at  the 
table  and  stepped  to  the  edge  of  the  platform. 

"What  does  this  mean,  sir?"  he  de- 
manded, in  a  voice  that  struck  terror  to  the 
soul  of  the  culprit. 

"  Nothing,"  answered  Tommy  faintly. 

"Nothing!  "  thundered  the  master.  "Is 
it  nothing  to  break  one  of  the  rules  of  this 
school  ?  Is  it  nothing  to  waste  the  golden 
moments  you  spend  here  in  levity?  Come 
here,  sir !  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  143 

Tommy  rose  and  staggered  against  the 
bench.  His  strength  seemed  to  have  left 
him,  but  he  slowly  forced  his  steps  toward 
the  platform. 

"Stand  there!  " 

Tommy  stood  still  while  Marston  reached 
for  a  goad. 

' '  Do  you  realize  what  such  conduct 
means?  "  he  demanded,  when  he  had  braced 
himself. 

"No,  sir,"  truthfully  answered  Tommy, 
who  laughed  at  anything  funny  for  the  same 
reason  that  birds  sing  in  the  early  morning 
and  the  roses  blossom  in  the  June  sunshine. 

"Well,  I  will  try  and  show  you.  You 
should  know,  sir,  that  levity  is  the  curse  of 
this  earth.  It  brings  men  to  folly  and  king- 
doms to  ruin.  Did  you  know,  sir,  that  indul- 
gence in  laughter  and  kindred  follies  brought 
the  king  of  England  to  the  block  a  dozen 
years  ago,  and  his  country  to  ruin?  " 

"No,  sir." 

"Well,  it  did;  and  I  saw  the  unhappy 
king  laugh  in  the  faces  of  his  judges  when  he 
was  on  trial  for  his  life  ;  and  your  grand- 
father, sir,  was  one  of  the  judges.  That  ex- 
ample should  have  taught  you  better.  Now 
what  is  the  curse  of  this  earth  ?  ' ' 


144  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Laughter,"  feebly  murmured  Tommy. 

"  Yes,  and  a  lack  of  seriousness  in  youth 
will  bring  gray  hairs  to  your  father,  and  an 
early  grave  to  your  mother. ' ' 

Tommy  could  have  endured  Marston's 
anger  and  its  consequences  without  flinching, 
but  at  this  reference  to  his  beloved  parents  he 
completely  broke  down. 

"Charles  the  First,"  continued  Marston, 
with  an  almost  savage  delight  in  the  boy's 
tears,  "was  a  scoffer  and  given  to  levity, 
lyike  you  he  probably  laughed  in  school  when 
he  should  have  been  developing  a  sober  char- 
acter. If  you  cannot  profit  by  these  exam- 
ples, I  must  give  you  such  a  lesson  as  you 
will  remember.  Have  you  anything  to  say 
for  yourself,  sir  ?  " 

The  culprit  stood  with  his  arm  over  his 
eyes,  that  the  scholars  might  not  see  his  tears. 

"Ze-Ze-Ze-Zeke !  "  sobbed  Tommy,  who 
was  so  overwhelmed  with  grief  and  mortifica- 
tion that  he  did  not  know  what  he  was  saying. 

"  What  about  Ezekiel,  sir?  " 

4 '  Nothing,  on-on-on-only  Ze-Ze-Ze-Zeke 
did-did-didn't  laugh  !  " 

Tommy  had  recovered  his  mental  and 
moral  equilibrium. 

"Of  course  Ezekiel  did  not    laugh.     He 


THE  REGICIDES.  145 

lias  a  more  serious  purpose  in  life  than  that, 
sir." 

Zeke  was  a  studious  boy  who  always  had 
good  lessons.  He  was  a  favorite  with  the 
master. 

' '  He  is  an  honor  to  his  parents.  He  will 
grow  up  to  be  a  useful  member  of  society, 
perhaps  a  governor  or  a  judge,  while  you — 
who  can  foretell  to  what  depths  of  infamy  you 
may  descend  if  you  persevere  in  your  way- 
wardness ? ' ' 

(Squirms  and  inward  groans  from  Zeke, 
who  is  tempted  to  rise  and  confess  that  he  is 
the  real  sinner.) 

"  Now,  sir,  take  off  your  jacket." 

One  garment  was  removed,  leaving  the 
boy's  tender  flesh  but  thinly  separated  from 
the  cruel  birch.  Then  Marston  seized  his 
pupil  by  the  collar  and  flogged  him  until 
there  was  nothing  left  of  the  goad  except  the 
heavy  butt.  The  boys  looked  on  with  hard 
faces,  except  one  or  two  who  leered  out  of 
sheer  depravity.  Tommy  uttered  not  a  sound 
during  the  ordeal,  and  when  it  was  over  he 
walked  to  his  bench  and  buried  his  face  in 
his  hands.  Zeke  leaned  over  to  comfort  him, 
but  the  master's  eye  was  upon  him. 


146  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Ezekiel,  attend  to  your  lessons  !  Thomas 
Jones  is  not  a  fit  associate  for  you." 

This  was  too  much  for  Zeke.  He  rose  in 
his  place,  though  Tommy  tried  to  hold  him 
down. 

"  Master  Marston,"  said  he,  "  it  was  I  who 
made  Tommy  laugh.  He  couldn't  help  it." 

Jonathan  Marston  was  dumbfounded.  It 
was  his  favorite  scholar  who  had  trans- 
gressed, and  for  the  first  time.  But  there 
was  HO  strain  of  weakness  in  this  man,  whose 
sole  rule  of  life  was  DUTY-  Had  it  been  his 
own  sickly  little  daughter  it  would  have  been 
the  same.  He  called  Zeke  to  him,  read  the 
customary  lecture,  and  administered  the  flog- 
ging with  no  abatement  of  energy. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  there 
was  a  commotion  out  of  doors  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  school-house.  Marston  went  to  the 
door,  and  soon  learned  the  cause.  A  look  of 
keen  satisfaction  overspread  his  features  as 
he  returned  to  his  place  at  the  table. 

"Scholars,"  he  said,  after  clearing  his 
throat,  "there  is  to  be  an  important  lesson 
administered  outside.  Not  the  least  of  the 
valuable  things  to  be  learned  at  school  is  self- 
control.  There  is  too  little  of  it.  Men  are 
too  apt  to  spare  the  flesh  and  allow  the  soul 


THE  REGICIDES.  147 

to  sink  to  degradation.  They  do  not  learn 
the  lesson  in  youth  as  they  should.  They 
spend  their  time  in  laughing,  in  gamboling 
like  calves,  in  playing  at  useless  games,  and 
idly  strolling  about.  They  demean  them- 
selves as  though  there  were  nothing  in  this 
life  or  the  next  worthy  of  serious  attention. 
Such  gross  blindness  to  the  better  things  of 
life  is  born  of  Sathan." 

He  paused  a  moment  to  let  this  piece  of 
wisdom  sink  deep  into  the  youthful  minds, 
and  then  continued. 

' '  We  had  an  example  this  morning  of  what 
idleness  and  a  spirit  of  frivolity  bring  about. 
This  afternoon  we  are  to  be  favored  with  a 
still  more  striking  illustration  of  the  results 
of  folly.  Learn  ye  the  lesson  well,  for  woe  be 
unto  him  that  heareth  but  listeneth  not ! 

"The  scholars  will  now  pass  out  in  order,  and 
take  their  places  on  the  north  side  of  the 
school-house.  See  to  it  that  ye  profit  by  what 
ye  there  witness." 

When  the  master  had  finished,  he  stepped 
to  the  door  and  stood  while  his  charges  filed 
solemnly  out  and  took  places  as  directed. 

It  was  the  custom  of  Jonathan  Marston  to 
thus  address  his  school  once  or  twice  a  week, 
then  marshal  them  outside  to  observe  the 


148  THE  REGICIDES. 

administration  of  the  laws  at  the  public  whip- 
ping post.  He  held  it  to  be  an  essential  part 
of  every  one's  education  to  see  with  his  own 
eyes  the  results  of  sin,  and  to  know  and  feel 
that  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard. 
"  God  is  a  God  of  justice,  and  not  of  mercy," 
he  used  to  sometimes  say  before  an  occasion 
of  this  kind.  "So  surely  as  the  fire  burns 
your  finger  when  put  in  the  flame,  just  so 
surely  will  retribution  follow  for  every  act  of 
sin."  And  yet  Jonathan  Marston  was 
thoroughly  kind  at  heart.  He  preached  jus- 
tice because  he  believed  in  it,  and  cried  out 
upon  mercy  because  he  thought  it  engendered 
weakness  of  character.  ' '  When  you  do  a 
thing,  do  it  prepared  to  take  the  conse- 
quences," was  a  favorite  maxim  of  his.  Yet 
while  he  taught  so  diligently  the  law  of  cause 
and  effect,  he  was  as  persistent  in  claiming 
that  everything  was  foreordained  from  the 
foundation  of  the  earth.  If  a  baby  tripped 
and  bumped  his  nose,  he  would  say  that  the 
accident  had  been  foreordained  for  some  wise 
purpose,  perhaps  to  aid  somehow  in  the  de- 
velopment of  the  juvenile's  character.  If 
the  season  were  so  dry  (or  so  wet)  as  to  prove 
damaging  to  the  crops,  he  would  make  that 
the  subject  of  a  lecture  and  call  it  a  divine 


THE  REGICIDES.  149 

judgment  upon  the  people  of  New  Haven  for 
their  sins;  and  if  some  bright  youngster  ven- 
tured to  suggest  cause  and  effect  as  a  solu- 
tion of  the  weather  question,  Marstoii  would 
say  the  subject  was  really  too  deep  for  young 
people  to  understand. 

When  the  scholars  found  themselves  stand- 
ing in  line  against  the  north  side  of  the 
school-house,  they  saw  an  unusually  large 
crowd  of  people  assembled.  It  seemed  as 
though  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  had  come 
together  for  some  important  celebration. 
The  whipping-post,  a  large  tree-trunk  a  dozen 
or  more  feet  high,  stood  perhaps  six  rods 
north  of  the  school-house.  About  three  feet 
from  the  ground  was  a  stout  rope,  the  ends  of 
which,  after  three  or  four  coils  about  the  post, 
hung  dangling.  Above  this,  and  high 
enough  to  clear  a  man's  head,  was  a  small 
platform,  which  was  reached  by  means  of  a 
ladder.  On  a  level  with  this  platform  were  two 
cross-beams,  one  stationary,  and  the  other  so 
arranged  as  to  slip  up  and  down.  At  the 
place  where  they  met  were  two  round  holes 
perhaps  two  feet  apart  and  five  or  six  inches 
in  diameter.  This  combination  was  called 
the  "  stocks,"  and  small  offenders  were  often 
seated  on  the  platform  for  hours  at  a  time, 


150  THE  REGICIDES. 

with  their  feet  sticking  through  the  holes  in 
the  beams,  exposed  to  the  derision  of  the 
people. 

Four  or  five  feet  above  this  was  a  similar 
device,  only  the  two  holes  were  smaller,  and 
there  was  a  larger  one  between  to  receive  the 
neck  of  the  person  thus  honored  by  tempo- 
rary prominence.  This  was  the  "pillory," 
and  firmly  clasped  in  its  embrace  were  the 
neck  and  wrists  of  a  woman.  She  was  pour- 
ing forth  a  torrent  of  epithets  and  abuse  up- 
on the  governor  and  the  magistrates  and  on 
mankind  in  general,  while  the  crowd  stung 
her  into  continued  activity  by  repeated  jeers 
and  insolence. 

"Goody  Beasley,"  said  a  young  man,  step- 
ping up  to  the  foot  of  the  pillory  and  placing 
his  arms  akimbo,  ' '  thy  husband  saith  thou  art 
an  angel  of  silence,  and  not  a  common  scold. 
He  is  so  attached  to  thee  that  he  would  fain 
be  with  thee  even  now.  Behold  him  com- 
ing !" 

The  additional  humiliation  of  seeing  her 
husband  led  toward  the  whipping  .post  set 
Goody's  tongue  running  faster  than  ever. 
She  spat  in  the  young  man's  face  before  he 
could  retire,  and  bestowed  upon  him  a  string 
of  epithets  more  biting  than  printable. 


THE  REGICIDES.  151 

Beasley  was  tied  fast  to  tlie  post  and  stood 
with  hanging  head  while  the  magistrate  in 
charge  announced  the  crime  for  which  the 
culprit  was  about  to  be  punished,  and  the 
nature  and  amount  of  the  punishment. 

The  strong- armed  constable  dealt  nine-and- 
thirty  blows  of  the  whip  upon  Beasley's 
trembling  back.  They  were  not  the  hardest 
that  he  could  deal  when  occasion  required. 
He  knew  Beasley  was  weak  and  inoffensive, 
and  did  not  seem  to  think  the  episode  with 
"Goodman  Barnes  his  horse  "  a  very  flagrant 
affair.  He  moreover  pitied  the  man  whose 
childish  and  shrinking  nature  was  driven  to 
desperation  so  often  by  the  venomous  tongue 
of  the  town  scold. 

Beasley  seemed  relieved  when  the  whipping- 
was  over,  and  took  his  place  in  the  crowd  to 
watch  subsequent  proceedings. 

"James  Stenton!"  called  the  magistrate, 
and  the  defiant  James  was  led  forward  by  two 
constables. 

"  For  lighting  a  pipe  in  the  public  street, 
one  hour  in  the  stocks,"  announced  the 
magistrate  solemnly. 

Goody  Beasley  was  in  the  way  of  promptly 
executing  the  sentence,  but  with  a  horrible 
grin  she  offered  to  give  way  if  it  were  any  ac- 


152  THE  REGICIDES. 

commodation  to  Master  Stenton.  Goody  was 
allowed  to  come  down,  and  James  climbed  to 
the  little  platform,  assisted  the  officer  to  ad- 
just his  ankles  to  the  stocks,  then  set  his 
audience  in  a  roar  by  his  foolish  grimaces  as 
he  attempted  to  smile  and  look  unconcerned. 

"  Abner  Welton,  profane  language,  twenty 
lashes  !"  said  the  magistrate  as  the  next 
culprit  was  led  to  the  whipping-post. 

Abner  was  a  sober  and  thrifty  artisan  who 
had  recently  brought  some  valuable  tools  from 
England.  A  fellow  workman  had  claimed 
some  of  them,  and  there  was  a  dispute  where- 
in the  claimant  was  politely  requested  to  hie 
himself  to  the  Adversary.  Whereupon  there 
was  a  complaint  made  to  the  magistrates  that 
Welton  had  been  guilty  of  using  profane  lan- 
guage. 

Abner  took  his  twenty  lashes  in  silence, 
then  went  to  look  for  his  enemy. 

Israel  Bodman,  who  came  next,  was  a 
pitiful  piece  of  humanity.  He  was  lean,  rag- 
ged, dirty  looking,  and  snake-like  in  his 
movements.  His  eyes,  too,  had  now  and 
then  a  gleam  and  glitter  like  those  of  a 
serpent.  His  fingers  were  long  and  claw-like. 
They  had  reached  by  stealth  into  the  purse  of 
a  poor  workwoman  who  was  feeding  him  in 


THE  REGICIDES.  153 

her  kitchen.  The  officer  threw  off  his  coat 
and  bared  his  arm  for  a  freer  play  of  his  power- 
ful muscles.  The  contemptible  scoundrel  at 
the  post  writhed  and  squirmed  like  a  python 
in  the  toils,  while  the  nine-and-thirty  vigorous 
blows  were  being  rained  upon  his  back,  then 
slunk  away  out  of  sight. 

"Will  Harding  and  Martha  Malbon!" 
called  the  magistrate,  with  as  much  apparent 
unconcern  as  though  it  were  a  stranger  and 
not  his  own  daughter  whose  doom  he  was  an- 
nouncing. Harding  took  his  punishment 
without  a  word,  and  left  the  place.  There 
was  a  look  of  terror  in  Martha's  eyes  as  she 
was  led  through  the  crowd,  a  look  that  some- 
times comes  into  the  eyes  of  drowning  people 
when  all  hope  is  gone.  When  she  came  to 
where  her  father  stood  she  broke  away  from 
the  constables  who  were  leading  her  and  threw 
herself  at  his  feet.  He  turned  away,  and 
Martha  was  carried  half  fainting  to  the  cruel 
post.  Her  hands  were  tied,  but  she  was  un- 
able to  stand,  and  fell  on  her  knees.  Even 
the  stern-browed  Puritan  who  held  the  fatal 
whip  shrank  from  the  task  before  him. 

' '  Officer,  do  thy  duty  ! ' '  commanded  the 
magistrate,  in  whom  the  father  had  sunk  com- 
pletely out  of  sight.  But  long  before  the 


154  THE  REGICIDES. 

blows  had  ceased  the  delicate  and  sensitive 
victim  had  swooned. 

Jonathan  Marston  reassembled  his  scholars, 
and  the  work  of  the  school-room  was  resumed. 

At  four  o'clock  he  bade  his  pupils  rise. 

"  You  have  learned  some  valuable  lessons 
this  day,"  he  said.  "  See  to  it  that  they  are 
not  forgotten." 

And  with  that  affectionate  pedagogical  in- 
junction the  school  was  dismissed. 


XIV. 

Goffe's  plan  for  outwitting  the  pursuers, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  its  boldness 
somewhat  staggered  those  who  were  in  the 
secret,  proved  a  complete  success.  It  con- 
sisted in  appearing  openly  in  the  streets,  with 
all  the  indications  of  being  travelers  on  their 
way  to  Manhattan ;  then  turning  into  the 
woods  a  little  below  Milford,  and  returning 
to  the  house  of  Mr.  Davenport  under  cover  of 
night.  So  successfully  was  the  scheme  car- 
ried out  that  no  question  entered  the  minds 
of  Brockton  and  his  companions  concerning 
it.  Those  three  worthies,  after  Kellond  and 
Kirke  had  been  liberated  by  the  intercession 
of  the  magistrate,  continued  their  journey 


THE  REGICIDES.  155 

southward,  confident  of  capturing  their  men 
in  Manhattan,  if,  indeed,  they  did  not  over- 
take them  on  the  way.  They  were  baffled  for 
a  time  by  not  finding  any  trace  of  the  fleeing 
generals  below  Milford,  but  this  was  easily 
accounted  for  by  the  keen-scented  Brockton. 

"It's  as  plain  as  a  sum  in  addition,"  was 
his  reflection  upon  the  situation.  "These 
men  may  be  knaves,  but  they  are  not  fools. 
They  must  know  we  would  follow  as  soon  as 
we  learned  they  were  abroad.  Nobody  but 
an  idiot  would  travel  by  day  and  thus  leave  a 
plain  track  behind.  I  tell  ye  they  were  on 
the  road  all  night,  and  ye  will  find  they  never 
stop  until  they  get  to  Manhattan,  and  we  a 
day  behind  them.  Ye  can  stake  money  on 
my  opinion.  I  go  slow,  but  when  I  put  my 
foot  down  I  know  whether  it's  on  a  rock  or 
in  the  mud." 

Sure  enough,  Brockton  seemed  capable  of 
solving  every  problem,  for  while  not  a  trace 
was  to  be  found  of  the  generals  during  the 
day,  just  at  nightfall  they  came  upon  a  de- 
serted Indian  camp  and  found  an  old  brave 
who  had  seen  two  horsemen  gallop  by  in  the 
early  morning. 

"Didn't  I  tell  ye  so ?"  said  Brockton,  look- 


156  THE  REGICIDES. 

at  his  companions.  "Ye  don't  fool  an  old 
bird  with  chaff!" 

The  poor  Indian  was  scarcely  able  to  speak, 
but  managed  to  answer  a  few  questions  with 
difficulty.  The  two  Englishmen  were  aston- 
ished to  find  him  there  apparently  abandoned, 
and  with  nothing  but  an  old  blanket  and  a  low 
smoldering  fire  to  protect  him  from  the  cut- 
ting wind.  A  dish  of  parched  corn  was  his  sole 
provision.  Brockton  explained  that  "it  was 
but  a  common  instance  of  the  abandonment  of 
old  warriors  by  the  tribe  when  they  were  no 
no  longer  able  to  bear  their  share  of  the  bur- 
dens. Even  the  miserly  Kellond  was  touched, 
and  thrust  his  hand  into  his  pocket  for  a 
coin. 

"Tell  him  to  go  to  Manhattan  and  buy 
something,"  said  Kirke,  sarcastically,  when 
he  saw  Kellond  hand  the  money  to  the  dying 
man.  "It  is  only  thirty  miles,  as  Brockton 
telleth  me,  and  he  might  like  some  comfits,  or 
a  painted  kite!  "  Kirke  then  proceeded  to 
the  exercise  of  a  more  practical  charity.  He 
went  to  his  saddle-bags  and  took  a  good 
quantity  of  provisions,  and  a  small  bottle  of 
brandjr,  which  he  carried  to  where  the  old 
warrior  lay.  But  the  Indian  shook  his  head. 

' '  Let  the  kind-hearted  white  man  give  me 


THE  REGICIDES.  157 

nothing,"  he  said  brokenly.  "  I  do  not  need 
it.  My  people  are  gone  to  the  great  river 
called  the  Hudson,  for  it  is  better  hunting 
there.  I  have  lived  and  hunted  and  fought 
the  enemies  of  my  tribe  for  many  moons. 
Now  I  am  old  and  useless.  This  is  the  fate 
of  all  who  do  not  fall  in  battle,  and  it  is  right. 
The  old  must  not  burden  the  young.  It  will 
not  be  long  before  this  corn  will  be  gone,  and 
the  fire  will  soon  die  out.  Then  I  shall  lie 
down  to  sleep,  to  wake  in  the  happy  hunting 
grounds.  The  Great  Spirit  has  called  me  to 
my  fathers,  and  I  am  glad  to  go." 

The  simple  faith  and  stoical  resignation  of 
the  broken-down  old  brave  moved  his  hearers 
deeply.  Brockton  felt  a  choke  in  his  throat, 
and  turned  to  tighten  his  saddle-girth. 
Kirke  actually  wiped  away  a  tear,  and  Kel- 
lond  really  wished  that  a  small  sum  of  money 
might  be  of  use.  Brockton  in  particular  was 
strongly  affected,  and  as  they  rode  along  his 
thoughts  turned  to  the  nature  of  his  errand  to 
Manhattan.  He  thought  of  the  noble  men 
who  were  being  pursued  as  the  hound  pur- 
sues the  hare,  but  for  the  baser  purpose  of 
gain.  What  was  he  that  he  should  dis- 
honor his  manhood  and  sell  the  life  of  a 
fellow-man  for  gold  ?  A  few  years  before 


158  THE  REGICIDES. 

he  would  have  fallen  on  his  knees  in  their 
presence.  Then  they  were  great  and  power- 
ful. He  thought  of  the  position  of  the  minis- 
ter, who,  he  felt  sure,  had  sheltered  them  at 
the  risk  of  his  life,  and  compared  it  with  his 
own.  He  saw,  as  every  man  sometimes  sees 
when  he  looks  into  his  own  heart,  a  picture 
that  startled  him.  It  made  him  shudder,  but 
instead  of  using  it  as  a  means  of  redeeming 
his  manhood,  he  tried  to  dismiss  it  as  he 
would  a  nightmare  ;  and  the  flood  of  generous 
sentiment  receded  so  far  that  even  its  echo 
was  soon  forgotten. 

They  spurred  their  horses  on  as  night  fell, 
and  when  they  reached  Manhattan  it  was  so 
late  that  they  were  obliged  to  rout  a  sleepy 
landlord  before  they  could  obtain  accommo- 
dations. 

"  Now,"  said  Kellond,  as  they  were  eating 
their  supper  in  the  generous  Dutch  kitchen, 
"  we  shall  have  our  men  inside  of  twenty-four 
hours.  There  will  be  no  ranting  Puritans  to 
hide  them  here.  It  is  lucky  we  arrived  in  the 
night,  Kirke,  for  we  can  steal  a  good  march 
on  'em  in  the  morning." 

"  Thou  art  right,  as  I  believe,  Friend  Kel- 
lond," replied  Kirke.  "  They  could  not  be 
seen  abroad  here  without  making  a  great  con- 


THE  REGICIDES.  159 

trast  to  these  fat  and  stupid  Dutchmen. 
What  think  you,  Brockton,  will  they  live 
openly  as  in  Boston,  or  will  they  try  to  hide 
their  beggarly  heads  in  some  beer  cellar  ? ' ' 

"  If  they  are  here  at  all  we  shall  find  traces 
of  'em  in  the  morning  fast  enough,"  said 
Brockton,  and  on  that  comforting  decision 
they  retired,  snoring  the  night  away  like  ver- 
itable Dutch  burghers. 

At  breakfast  the  next  morning  they  took 
occasion  to  inquire  whether  two  tall  men  of 
soldierly  bearing  had  been  seen  in  the  town 
the  night  before.  No  one  had  seen  them  or 
heard  of  their  arrival.  Not  even  the  land- 
lord, who  maintained  that  he  knew  every- 
thing that  was  going  on  in  the  town,  had  any 
knowledge  of  them. 

' '  They  are  lying  low  until  they  see  wheth- 
er they  are  followed,"  said  Brockton. 
' '  They  have  doubtless  heard  of  me  in  Guil- 
ford  or  New  Haven,  and  know  better  than  to 
show  their  heads  at  present.  We  shall  get 
'em,  though,  and  we  had  better  call  on  the 
governor  at  once  and  get  a  warrant.  Then 
we  will  be  ready  for  'em." 

This  seemed  wise  counsel,  and  the  confi- 
dent manner  of  Brockton  was  greatly  reassur- 
ing to  his  comrades.  They  were  in  high 


160  THE  REGICIDES. 

spirits  when  they  settled  their  score  and  set 
out  to  find  the  mansion  of  the  governor.  His 
Excellency,  Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  worshipful 
governor  of  Nieu  Amsterdam,  as  the  town 
was  sometimes  called,  lived  close  down  to  the 
water's  edge  in  the  Stadt  Huys.  It  was  a 
gloomy  looking  building,  without  much  orna- 
mentation, and  seemed  built  more  for  a  ware- 
house than  state  receptions.  A  tall  gallows- 
tree  stood  directly  in  front,  as  if  to  insure  a 
cheerful  frame  of  mind  on  the  part  of  his 
worship.  A  windmill  creaked  and  groaned 
in  dismal  tones  as  they  came  near  the  place, 
causing  Brockton  to  look  suddenly  behind 
him.  Perhaps  he  was  thinking  how  nice  it 
would  be  were  he  a  constable  of  Nieu  Am- 
sterdam and  obliged  to  spend  his  nights  in 
such  a  neighborhood ;  but  from  the  way  he 
shuddered  his  companions  thought  differ- 
ently. 

They  soon  found  themselves  in  a  small 
waiting-room  while  their  names  were  being 
announced.  The  interior  was  in  striking 
contrast  to  what  they  had  expected  from  a 
glance  at  the  outside.  The  Stuyvesant  man- 
sion was  full  of  ceremony  and  official  dignity, 
as  became  the  executive  headquarters  of  a 
colony  of  traders.  It  was  quite  different  from. 


THE  REGICIDES.  161 

the  plain  and  informal  house  of  Governor 
I/eete  up  in  Guilford.  In  a  few  moments  the 
servant  who  had  admitted  them  reappeared 
and  said  his  worship  would  see  them. 

Personally  the  executive  was  not  so  stiff 
and  forbidding  as  they  had  been  led  to  antic- 
ipate. As  the)'-  entered  the  reception-room 
they  saw  a  rather  large,  heavy  shouldered, 
gruff  looking  individual,  whose  appearance 
might  have  been  extremely  dignified  had  he 
not  been  the  wearer  of  a  wooden  leg  in  the 
shape  of  a  long  slender  stump.  This  was 
completely  covered  with  silver  ornaments, 
and  seemed  to  be  a  matter  of  considerable 
pride  with  the  governor.  He  received  them 
kindly  and  bade  them  state  their  business. 
As  they  proceeded  to  unfold  the  nature  of  the 
offense  with  which  the  fugitives  were 
charged,  and  the  trouble  experienced  in  get- 
ting a  warrant  in  New  Haven,  all  the  old  sol- 
dier feeling  in  the  governor's  breast  revived. 

"Vat!  "he  cried,  moving  his  stump  ex- 
citedly about  his  chair  in  a  semicircle,  "are 
dese  de  men  vat  de  Koenig's  kopf  off  cut  ?" 

"The  same,  sire.  They  most  wicked^ 
ordered  the  good  king  to  be  beheaded,"  re- 
plied Kellond. 

"  Den,  niein  Gott,  I   vill  help  you  de  dam 


1 62  THE  REGICIDES. 

rascals  catch  ! ' '  exclaimed  Governor  Stuy  ve- 
sant,  and  without  further  parley  he  wrote  an 
order  directing  his  officers  to  report  to  him 
at  once  should  ' '  de  dam  rascals ' '  show  their 
heads  in  his  jurisdiction. 

Their  object  accomplished,  the  trio  uttered 
a  profusion  of  thanks  and  compliments,  and 
withdrew  from  the  audience.  Kellond  and 
Kirke  were  so  overjoyed  that  they  actually 
hugged  each  other  in  the  excess  of  enthusiasm. 
They  probably  would  have  embraced  Brock- 
ton, but  there  was  somewhat  about  that 
worthy  constable  repugnant  to  the  idea  of 
such  affectionate  demonstration.  They 
rushed  back  to  the  tavern,  however,  and 
bade  Brockton  fill  up  on  the  best  the  house 
afforded.  To  this  invitation  he  heartily  re- 
sponded, for  he  had  long  wished  to  compare 
the  beverages  of  the  Dutchmen  with  good  old 
New  England  flip. 


THE  REGICIDES.  163 

XV. 

It  soon  became  evident  that  Whalley  and 
Goffe  were  not  concealed  within  the  bounds 
of  Nieu  Amsterdam.  The  Englishmen  were 
puzzled.  It  seemed  to  them  that  the  fugi- 
tives must  suddenly  have  vanished  from  the 
face  of  the  earth.  They  rilled  themselves  day 
after  day  with  Dutch  beer,  in  a  vain  effort  to 
clarify  their  reasoning  powers,  but  each  suc- 
ceeding day  found  them  more  befuddled  than 
the  last.  Brockton,  who  confined  his  pota- 
tions principally  to  schnapps,  seeing  that 
deep  drinking  was  incompatible  with  deep 
thinking,  drank  sparingly  and  thought  con- 
stantly. The  more  he  pondered  the  more  he 
became  convinced  that  they  were  on  the 
wrong  scent ;  and  he  finally  came  to  believe 
that  the  men  had  never  left  New  Haven  col- 
ony. Who  had  ever  seen  them  after  they 
left  Milford  ?  There  was  the  evidence  of  the 
old  Indian,  but  he  might  have  seen  forty 
horsemen  and  not  these.  He  communicated 
his  views  to  his  associates,  and  as  a  result, 
they  called  again  at  the  executive  mansion, 
paid  their  respects  to  the  governor,  and  shook 
as  much  of  Manhattan's  mud  as  possible  from 
their  feet 


1 64  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  April  rains  had  made  short  work  of 
the  big  snow-fall,  and  the  roads  were  knee 
deep  with  slush  and  water.  It  was  slow  trav- 
eling at  best,  and  the  pursuers  were  in  a  fever 
of  excitement  over  the  thought  that  they  had 
been  outwitted.  Their  only  aim  was  to  get 
back  to  the  colony,  and  that  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment.  They  did  not  even  stop  to 
bury  the  body  of  the  old  Indian,  but  after  a 
brief  survey  left  it  as  they  found  it.  They 
noted  that  the  dish  of  corn  was  substantially 
as  when  they  saw  it  before,  and  concluded 
that  the  worn-out  brave  had  starved  himself 
to  death  that  he  might  the  sooner  reach  the 
happy  hunting  grounds. 

As  soon  as  they  reached  New  Haven  they 
made  inquiries  at  the  tavern,  but  the  aston- 
ished landlord  could  only  say  that  his  distin- 
guished guests  had  left  a  week  before  on 
their  way  to  Manhattan.  He  had  heard 
nothing  of  them  since  —  how  could  he  ? 
There  was  plainly  nothing  to  do  but  go  to 
Guilford  and  demand  a  search  warrant,  and 
thither  they  bent  their  course. 

Governor  L,eete  was  extremely  affable  when 
they  arrived.  He  had  quite  recovered  from 
his  illness. 

' '  We  are  obliged  to  request  your  honor  to 


THE  REGICIDES.  165 

give  us  a  warrant  at  once,"  said  Kellond,  as 
soon  as  the  formal  courtesies  had  been  ex- 
changed. 

"  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  call  a 
meeting  of  the  magistrates  in  the  morning," 
said  the  governor,  "  and  the  matter  will 
receive  immediate  attention.  We  began  to 
think  you  had  left  the  colony  without  com- 
pleting your  errand." 

The  two  Englishmen  exchanged  glances. 

"Ahem!  "  said  Kirke,  after  a  moment's 
hesitation.  ' '  We  were  suddenly  called  to 
Manhattan  on  private  business  of  importance. ' ' 

The  governor  smiled,  and  after  a  few  com- 
monplaces, the  officers  left  and  went  to  the 
tavern  for  the  night.  Brockton  was  in  the 
tap-room,  surrounded  by  the  usual  tavern  con- 
tingent. At  the  moment  his  friends  entered 
he  was  discoursing  in  a  loud  voice  of  his 
intimacy  with  the  governor  of  Nieu  Amster- 
dam. 

"  They  dp  say  he  be  terrible  when  in  a 
rage,"  said  Sam  Barlow,  puffing  wisely  at  his 
pipe. 

"  Ay,  he  is  a  great  man,"  replied  Brock- 
ton. "  All  great  men  have  mighty  tempers. 
I  sometimes  give  way  myself,  under  great 
provocation.  But  Pete  gets  right  over  it, 


1 66  THE  REGICIDES. 

and  that  is  where  the  strength  of  the  man 
shows  itself.  One  night  last  week  he  and  I 
were  a  settin'  by  his  fireplace  a  drinkiir 
schnapps,  when  a  man  opens  the  door  and 
walks  right  in  without  sayin'  a  word.  Me  and 
Pete  was  right  in  the  middle  of  an  important 
discussion,  and  it  made  him  mad.  Well,  sir, 
he  jumped  up  and  kicked  the  fellow  with  first 
one  foot  and  then  the  other  till  he  whooped 
like  an  Indian.  '  I'll  larn  ye  manners,  if  ye 
be  a  Dutchman  !  '  says  Pete.  '  Now  git  o' 
here,  'n  go  to  the  devil !  '  The  fellow  limped 
off,  'n  Pete  come  back  'n  says  to  me,  '  Dan,' 
says  he,  '  I  never  let  them  little  things  trouble 
me  after  they  are  gone ;  now  tell  me  what 
you  think  about  'pintin'  Deidrick  Van  Spittz- 
leheisen,  to  the  office  of — '  but  that  was  a 
state  secret ;  I  don't  s'pose  Pete  would  want 
to  have  me  mention  it ;  it  was  in  confidence 
between  us ;  but  it  shows  the  kind  of  man  he 
is,  'n  what  he  thinks  of  me.  Well,  sir,  what 
be  you  a-gapin'  at?  " 

Old  Gaffer  Simpson  had  been  looking 
steadily  at  Brockton  for  some  time. 

"Oh,  nothing,"  replied  Gaffer,  "only  it 
hath  puzzled  me  to  know  how  the  governor 
could  kick  that  man  with  both  feet  when  he 
had  but  one  to  kick  with." 


THE  REGICIDES.  167 

There  is  no  telling  how  Brockton  would 
have  explained  this  extraordinary  accom- 
plishment on  the  part  of  his  friend  "  Pete," 
had  not  the  two  officers  entered  at  that  mo- 
ment. With  a  look  of  superiority  that  none 
but  Brockton  could  assume,  he  disdainfully 
turned  his  back  upon  the  company  and  paid 
his  attention  to  the  new-comers. 


XVI. 

The  meeting  of  the  magistrates  was  an 
event  of  unusual  interest  in  the  community. 
It  had  been  noised  about  New  Haven  that 
the  special  messengers  of  the  king  were  to  be 
present,  and  long  before  the  hour  of  sitting 
had  come  there  was  a  crowd  assembled  in 
front  of  the  house  of  Master  Gilbert,  where 
the  session  was  to  be  held. 

"I  prithee,  tell  me  what  manner  of  men 
they  be,"  said  a  stripling  from  the  farms. 
' '  Come  they  in  armor  and  carrying  a  lance  ?  ' ' 

' '  Nay,  not  like  that, ' '  replied  a  man  with 
a  peaked  hat  and  brown  cloak.  "  Morelike 
they  wear  plumes  in  their  hats,  and  swords  at 
their  sides.  I  know  not  whether  they  ba 
knights  or  no  until  they  have  appeared." 


1 68  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  It  seemeth  that  they  expect  to  find  the 
two  generals  hidden  somewhere  in  the 
town,"  said  another.  "  Every  body  knows 
that  they  went  to  Manhattan  a  week  ago." 

"Be  not  so  sure  of  that,  ye  fool!"  ex- 
claimed Goody  Godman,  who  had  been 
tried  for  a  witch.  "  Majrhap  they  did  not  go 
at  all." 

If  Goody's  character  had  been  entirely 
above  reproach,  her  remark  would  doubtless 
have  passed  unnoticed  ;  but  a  trial  for  witch- 
craft, even  if  followed  by  an  acquital,  never 
left  the  unfortunate  victim  free  from  the  terri- 
ble suspicion.  Moreover,  it  was  a  matter  of 
common  knowledge  that  the  evidence  ad- 
duced at  Goody's  trial  was  far  stronger  than 
that  which  had  hung  people  at  Salem  a  short 
time  before.  Many  thought  the  judges  had 
erred  in  not  convicting,  and  accused  them  of 
lacking  courage ;  but  both  Governor  Eaton, 
who  presided  at  the  trial,  and  Master  Daven- 
port, whose  counsel  was  invoked,  held  that 
while  witchcraft  was  a  reality  according  to 
Scripture,  it  was  not  to  be  found  except  on 
the  best  of  evidence.  So  Goody  went  free. 
But  in  view  of  her  history  this  sudden  burst 
of  hers  was  considered  particularly  signifi- 
cant. Those  who  heard  it  exchanged  mean- 


THE  REGICIDES.  169 

ing  glances,  and  a  child  who  stood  near  her 
moved  a  little  farther  off. 

' '  I  always  held  her  to  be  a  witch  !  ' '  whis- 
pered an  old  crone.  "  How  else  could  she 
know  this  ?  ' ' 

"If  it  be  true,  the  Devil  hath  told  her," 
said  another,  eyeing  Goody  as  she  would  the 
Evil  One. 

"Oho,  dames,  be  not  too  ready  to  con- 
demn," said  he  of  the  peaked  hat,  coining 
forward.  "  It  is  a  terrible  thing  to  be  called 
a  witch  unless  it  be  true  !  ' ' 

"True!"  exclaimed  the  crone.  "What 
would  ye  have  ?  Did  she  not  sour  Mistress 
Hooke's  beer,  and  it  but  one  day  old  ?  Did 
not  one  of  Goody  Thorpe's  chickens  die,  and 
when  they  opened  it  was  not  its  gizzard  full 
of  water  and  worms  ?  Do  ye  forget  that  Mis- 
tress Bishop  fell  into  strange  fits,  and  her  ba- 
bies came  dead  into  the  world,  and  all  because 
she  had  quarreled  with  Goody  Godman? 
Didn't  Master  Nash's  boy  have  a  grave  sick- 
ness the  like  of  which  the  doctor  had  never 
seen  ?  Not  a  witch !  If  this  be  not  evi- 
dence, what  d'ye  want?  "* 

"Ay,"  replied  Goody's  defender,  "beer 
will  sour,  and  chickens  will  die,  and  people 


*  See  Appendix  13. 


1 70  THE  REGICIDES. 

will  have  fits,  and  poor  babies  will  be  born 
dead,  and  the  doctors  may  not  understand 
their  business — but  all  that  doth  not  make 
Goody  Godman  or  anybody  else  a  witch." 

The  discussion  was  suddenly  interrupted 
by  the  appearance  of  three  horsemen  ap- 
proaching from  the  east.  Their  dress  was 
not  so  striking  as  the  youth  who  had  first 
spoken  had  expected,  and  he  had  grave 
doubts  as  to  their  identity.  The  foremost 
rider  carried  his  head  so  high  that  there 
was  danger  of  his  toppling  over  backwards. 
A  look  of  supreme  self-content  rested  upon 
his  hawk-like  features.  He  appeared  like 
some  one  whose  prominent  role  afforded  him 
the  keenest  satisfaction.  In  this  person  was 
soon  recognized  the  all-knowing  constable  of 
Guilford. 

"  Make  way  for  the  king's  messengers  !  " 
shouted  Brockton  pompously  as  they  drew 
near,  though  everybody  had  made  way  al- 
ready. Their  horses  were  taken  by  Master 
Gilbert's  man,  and  the  three  entered  the 
house.  A  little  later  the  crowd  saw  Benja- 
min Fenn,  one  of  Milford's  magistrates,  ride 
up.  Then  after  a  long  wait  they  saw  Gov- 
ernor L,eete  approaching  on  horseback,  ac- 
companied by  Jasper  Crane  of  Branford. 


THE  REGICIDES.  171 

The  chief  magistrate  having  arrived,  the 
court  assembled  and  announced  its  readiness 
to  hear  what  the  king's  messengers  had  to 
propose.  Kellond  made  a  long  address,  con- 
sisting principally  of  murderous  and  unpro- 
voked assaults  upon  the  King's  English,  and 
incidentally  mentioning  the  object  of  their 
visit.  Kirke  followed  briefly,  but  spoke  long 
enough  to  misquote  a  couple  of  proverbs  ;  and 
then  the  two  officers  awaited  the  result  of  the 
hearing. 

The  magistrates,  with  the  exception  of 
Matthew  Gilbert,  really  knew  nothing  of  the 
stratagem  of  Goffe,  and  were  in  absolute  ig- 
norance of  the  whereabouts  of  the  two  men. 
Not  even  Governor  Leete  knew  where  they 
were.  He  preferred,  for  good  and  sufficient 
reasons,  to  remain  ignorant. 

1 '  Methinks  the  men  ye  seek  are  not  now 
within  the  colony,"  said  the  chief  magistrate, 
when  the  officers  were  done  talking.  "It 
appears  that  they  left  New  Haven  several 
days  ago  on  a  journey  to  the  southward. 
Are  you  not  taking  unnecessary  and  prob- 
ably bootless  measures  to  apprehend  them 
here?" 

"  May  it  please  your  honors,  we  have  al- 
most certain  knowledge  that  the  fugitives  are 


172  THE  REGICIDES. 

at  this  very  moment  within  the  reach  of  your 
warrant,"  said  Kirke  with  some  warmth. 
"  Indeed,  we  have  it  on  good  authority  that 
they  are  concealed  in  a  certain  house  within 
the  sound  of  my  voice  !  " 

"  The  charge  you  make  is  rather  serious," 
replied  Governor  Leete.  "  What  authority 
have  you  for  that  statement  ?  " 

"  With  all  due  respect  to  your  honor,  we 
much  prefer  not  to  make  known  the  informa- 
tion which  hath  been  given  to  us,"  said 
Kirke." 

The  court  held  a  long  consultation  without 
coming  to  any  definite  understanding  as  to 
wrhat  course  should  be  pursued.  The  papers 
upon  which  the  two  officers  based  their  de- 
mand were  so  loosely  drawn  that  some  of  the 
magistrates  thought  they  ought  not  to  be 
acted  upon  at  all.  Others  thought  that  there 
could  be  no  doubt  as  to  their  intent,  and  ad- 
vised honoring  them. 

' '  We  cannot  and  will  not  make  ):ou  magis- 
trates, to  enter  private  residences  against  the 
wishes  of  their  owners,"  said  the  governor, 
finally,  "  if  that  is  what  you  desire  us  to  do. 
We  do  not  think  your  papers  entitle  you  to 
make  that  request,  nor  do  we  consider  that 
our  duty  to  the  people  would  permit  it. ' ' 


THE  REGICIDES.  173 

"  Then  will  your  honors  please  to  order 
some  one  else  to  make  a  search  ?  ' '  demanded 
Kellond,  desperately.  "  I  beg  to  assure  your 
honors  that  you  will  incur  the  severest  resent- 
ment of  his  majesty  by  disregarding  his  ex- 
press command." 

"  We  honor  his  majesty,  but  we  have  ten- 
der consciences,"  replied  the  governor, 
gravely. 

After  a  still  further  consultation  of  nearly 
three  hours,  the  magistrates  announced  that 
they  were  ready  to  declare  their  decision. 
The  officers  thought  they  saw  upon  the  faces 
of  the  court  a  more  hopeful  sign. 

' '  We  trust  your  honors  have  decided  to  do 
your  duty  in  loyalty  to  his  majesty,"  said 
Kellond,  when  the  announcement  had  been 
made. 

"  We  are  endeavoring  to  do  our  duty," 
retorted  the  governor,  with  some  show  of 
severity.  ' '  We  have  taken  oath  to  adminis- 
ter the  laws  of  this  colony  according  to  our 
best  understanding,  guided  by  Divine  Provi- 
dence, and  we  do  not  propose  to  exceed  our 
authority  if  we  can  help  it." 

"It  is  desirable  to  know  whether  you  will 
own  his  majesty  or  no,"  exclaimed  Kirke,  in 
a  threatening  tone. 


174  THE  REGICIDES. 

' '  It  may  be  as  important  to  know  whether 
his  majesty  will  own  us,"  responded  the  gov- 
ernor dryly. 

It  had  been  decided  to  issue  a  search-war- 
rant, not  to  Kellond  and  Kirke,  as  those  wor- 
thies had  hoped,  but  to  some  indifferent  per- 
sons, who  should  be  designated  by  the  court. 
Much  as  they  hesitated  to  take  this  step,  the 
magistrates  knew  that  failure  to  take  action 
of  some  sort  might  result  in  the  wholesale 
ruin  of  themselves  and  the  prospects  of  the 
colony.  They  were  well  aware  that  at  that 
moment  the  fate  of  the  colony  trembled  in 
the  balance. 

Governor  I/eete  dipped  his  pen  and  com- 
menced to  write  the  warrant.  The  stillness 
of  the  room  was  broken  only  by  the  splutter- 
ing scratch  of  the  magisterial  goose-quill, 
when  suddenly  there  was  a  commotion  out- 
side which  caused  the  governor  to  pause  and 
look  up.  Through  the  window  he  saw  the 
rugged  form  of  Robert  Treat,  the  Milford 
magistrate,  towering  above  the  crowd.  In 
another  moment  Master  Treat  had  entered 
the  room,  and  it  was  immediately  decided  to 
acquaint  him  with  the  facts  under  considera- 
tion before  proceeding  further. 

' '  It  seemeth  to  me  best  to  leave  the  whole 


THE  REGICIDES.  175 

matter  to  the  General  Court,"  said  the  new 
arrival,  after  some  thought.  "  This  question 
concerneth  the  whole  people,  and  so  long  as 
this  mandate  is  not  expressly  directed  to  us 
as  magistrates  of  New  Haven  Colony,  me- 
thinks  we  would  do  wrong  to  act  without  the 
express  direction  of  the  Court.  We  can  call  a 
special  session,  and  have  the  whole  question 
determined  with  but  a  little  delay." 

Robert  Treat's  quiet  remarks  settled  the 
matter.  The  court  at  once  reassembled  and 
announced  its  decision.  The  officers  were 
dumbfounded.  It  was  some  time  before  they 
recovered  their  composure  sufficiently  to  con- 
sult and  make  a  suitable  reply. 

' '  We  hope  your  honors  have  considered 
well  this  action,  and  are  prepared  to  assume 
the  consequences,"  said  Kellond,  finally,  and 
after  bowing  low  to  the  magistrates  they  left 
the  room.* 


*  See  Appendix 


1 76  THE  REGICIDES. 

XVII. 

The  Reverend  John  Davenport  fully  real- 
ized the  peril  which  now  faced  him.  Kel- 
lond  and  Kirke  had  left  the  colony  in  disgust 
at  what  appeared  to  be  the  evasive  methods  of 
the  magistrates,  and  were  certain  to  report 
matters  in  their  worst  possible  light.  He 
knew  King  Charles  would  be  in  no  mood  to 
trifle  with  those  who  had  thwarted  his  pur- 
poses. As  an  aggravation  to  the  present  situ- 
ation, it  could  not  be  forgotten  that  the 
colony  had  neglected  to  acknowledge  the 
sovereignty  of  the  king,  although  he  had  been 
several  months  upon  the  throne  of  England. 
It  was  not  for  himself,  however,  that  the  min- 
ister trembled.  He  was  of  that  firm  moral 
fibre  that  shrank  not  at  any  danger  resulting 
from  obedience  to  an  enlightened  conscience. 
It  was  for  his  wife  and  son,  and  the  little  re- 
public that  he  trembled.  Into  that  republic 
he  had  builded  the  best  years  of  his  life.  He 
and  his  friend  Baton  had  labored  unceasingly 
to  found  a  community  upon  principles  which 
seemed  to  them  the  only  sound  ones.  There 
had  been  failures  and  discouragements.  They 
had  come  here  rich,  and  Eaton  had  died  leav- 
ing but  a  paltry  share  of  his  original  fortune. 


THE  REGICIDES.  177 

His  own  estate  had  been  slowly  melting  away 
before  his  eyes.  Those  who  had  embarked 
with  them  in  the  enterprise  had  suffered  in  a 
like  proportion ;  some  had  been  completely 
ruined  financially.  Indeed,  when  Oliver 
Cromwell,  who  always  had  a  deep  interest  in 
the  prosperity  of  New  Haven,  offered  them 
large  grants  of  land  elsewhere  a  few  years  be- 
fore, they  had  actually  found  themselves  too 
poor  to  make  the  journey. 

His  hopes  of  founding  a  college  had 
already  been  shattered.*  But  the  severest 
blow  to  the  minister  was  the  failure  of  his 
scheme  to  establish  a  civil  government  based 
upon  the  Church.  Had  he  been  less  of  a 
theorist  he  would  have  builded  better  than  he 
did,  but  so  true  a  disciple  of  John  Calvin 
could  hardly  have  done  otherwise.  Believing 
in  the  strict  letter  of  Calvinism,  the  only  log- 
ical course  for  him  to  pursue  was  to  insist 
that  the  Church  should  be  the  foundation  of 
all  things  on  earth,  and  that  out  of  it  should 
come  the  State.  The  theory  was  perfect  to 
the  Calvinistic  eye,  for  if  none  but  church 
members  had  a  voice  in  the  government,  the 
government  must  in  the  very  nature  of  things 
be  perfect.  Every  law  that  was  passed  was 


*See  Appendix  F-a. 


178  THE  REGICIDES. 

flanked  right  and  left  with  Scripture  quota- 
tions, and  the  laws  were  enforced  to  the  very 
letter.*  Bad  men  had  ruled  in  England; 
only  good  men  should  rule  here. 

Sound  as  seemed  the  premises,  the  result 
had  been  disappointing.  Men  and  women 
were  just  as  human  in  New  Haven  as  they 
were  elsewhere.  Even  church  members,  in- 
stead of  always  reporting  the  misdoings  of 
their  neighbors  from  a  desire  to  purge  their 
souls  from  sin,  sometimes  descended  to  the 
human  level  of  mean  revenge.  Verily,  it 
must  be  confessed  that  at  one  time  the  col- 
ony, which  the  minister  had  seriously  hoped 
to  make  the  abode  of  Christ  at  His  second 
coming,  had  become  a  snarling  nest  of  hypo- 
critical cat-clawing  and  hair-pulling !  Then, 
too,  men  of  wealth  and  influence  joined  the 
church,  not  from  motives  of  piety,  but  be- 
cause it  was  the  only  way  to  obtain  political 
recognition.  They  had  escaped  a  form  of 
religious  tyranny  in  England  only  to  find  an- 
other not  less  unyielding  here.  There  they 
could  at  least  be  honest ;  here  they  must 
either  be  hypocrites  or  remain  political  non- 
entities. 

The  'trouble  with  all  this  was  not  that  men 


*See  Appendix  G. 


THE  REGICIDES.  179 

of  New  Haven  were  worse  than  other  men, 
but  because  there  was  a  wrong  theory  at  the 
bottom.  There  was  a  constant  struggle  be- 
tween the  theoretical  and  the  practical.  In- 
stead of  the  calm  peace  of  which  Davenport 
had  dreamed,  there  was  deceit,  discord  and 
disaster.  Even  now  there  was  a  strong  party 
in  the  colony  opposed,  not  to  the  minister 
personally,  but  to  the  political  ideas  which  he 
represented.  He  was  now  an  old  man,  be- 
yond three  score,  and  the  young  men's  party, 
the  party  of  practical  politics  as  divorced 
from  Scripture  texts,  was  every  day  growing 
stronger.  He  felt  himself  powerless  to  stem 
the  tide  which  he  saw  would  sooner  or  later 
engulf  and  forever  obliterate  the  structure 
which  he  had  fondly  believed  was  built  upon 
enduring  rock. 

Surrounded  by  the  wreck  of  his  most  cher- 
ished ambitions,  and  threatened  by  the  new 
danger  which  loomed  like  a  black  thunder- 
cloud overhead,  Davenport  stood  unwavering 
in  his  faith  and  courage,  one  of  the  grandest 
examples  of  fortitude  and  resolution  the 
world  has  ever  seen.  His  faith  in  God  was 
never  shaken ;  his  faith  in  man  was  never 
strong.  He  viewed  his  fellow-men  through 
the  medium  of  a  narrow  and  uncharitable  the- 


l8o  THE  REGICIDES. 

ology.  Through  one  end  of  the  telescope  he 
saw  the  elect,  radiant  and  powerful ;  through 
the  other  he  saw  myriads  of  unregenerate  sin- 
ners, mere  groveling  worms,  doomed  to  ever- 
lasting darkness.  His  heart  bled  for  those 
whose  blindness  kept  them  outside  the 
church,  but  he  felt  that  Divine  Justice  could 
not  decree  otherwise  than  it  did.  His  own 
tender  and  forgiving  soul  shrank  from  the 
thought  of  eternal  damnation  for  those  whom 
he  loved  with  an  almost  fatherly  affection, 
but  he  never  questioned  the  correctness  of  his 
own  teachings.  John  Davenport  was  no  her- 
etic. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  day  of  the  magis- 
trates' court  he  left  his  study  for  his  usual 
walk.  There  was  a  pleasant  sky  overhead, 
and  the  leaves  were  already  well  out  upon  the 
trees.  The  birds  were  singing  a  medley  of 
sweet  strains.  On  the  market-place  the  chil- 
dren were  running  about  gathering  dande- 
lions. As  he  crossed  the  little  bridge  at  the 
northeast  corner,  he  was  met  by  a  company 
of  young  people.  The  youths  raised  their 
hats  in  token  of  respect,  and  the  maidens 
courtesied.  Just  before  reaching  the  meet- 
ing-house he  came  across  two  little  dogs  frol- 
icking:, and  he,  the  grave  theologian  and  Turi- 


THE  REGICIDES.  181 

tan  preacher,  stopped  to  watch  them. 
Everything  he  saw  breathed  of  springtime 
and  happiness.  He  alone  on  that  May  after- 
noon seemed  oppressed,  and  in  the  exercise 
of  a  sound  philosophy  was  trying  to  chase 
the  shadows  from  his  brain  by  contact  with 
cheerful  things. 

A  little  past  the  meeting-house  he  saw  Gil- 
bert and  the  schoolmaster  approaching.  He 
was  glad  to  see  Gilbert ;  he  wanted  to  talk 
with  him;  but  Marston — well,  he  felt  gloomy 
enough  already,  and  would  much  prefer  a 
little  sunshine.  But  poor  Marston  !  he  had 
not  the  heart  to  slight  him.  Marston  had  a 
bilious  body,  a  bilious  brain,  and  a  bilious 
heart.  He  was  biliousness  personified.  He 
could  not  help  being  what  he  was  any  more 
than  a  rock  could  help  being  hard.  There 
was  no  lack  of  warmth  in  the  minister's 
greeting. 

' '  I  am  told  that  it  is  deemed  wrise  to  con- 
vene the  General  Court  in  the  matter  of  the 
king's  messengers,"  he  remarked  to  Gilbert 
after  awhile. 

"  It  was  thought  best,"  replied  Gilbert  seri- 
ously, ' '  but  its  wisdom  is  to  me  a  question 
of  doubt.  Think  you  not  it  will  affect  our 


1 82  THE  REGICIDES, 

standing  as  a  colony  with  the  powers  at  Con- 
don?" 

' '  That  is  what  I  greatly  fear.  We  have 
made  a  mistake  in  not  recognizing  the  king 
in  a  formal  proclamation.  The  situation 
seemeth  to  me  complicating  to  our  disadvan- 
tage." 

"  There  is  nothing  left  but  for  the  General 
Court  to  order  a  search.  Though  seemingly 
tardy,  it  will  show  our  compliance  with  the 
royal  mandate ;  as  for  the  proclamation,  I 
fully  agree  that  it  should  not  be  longer  de- 
ferred. Why  it  has  not  been  done  already  I 
know  not." 

' '  My  son  saith  the  officers  departed  in  no 
genial  mood." 

1 '  Aye,  and  they  must  needs  even  utter  a 
threat  as  a  parting  shot.  Methinks  there  is 
trouble  ahead,  but  I  am  convinced  that  we 
have  done  our  duty,  and  a  quiet  conscience  is 
better  than  temporal  peace." 

"I  am  for  making  no  concession  at  all," 
said  the  schoolmaster.  "  Let  the  sons  of 
Belial  rage ;  the  I^ord  of  Hosts  will  protect 
his  own." 

' '  In  case  they  do  make  due  effort  to  protect 
themselves,"  added  the  magistrate,  with  a 
smile.  "  And  that  remindeth  me  of  what 


THE  REGICIDES.  183 

General  Goffe  said  while  at  Boston,  that  if  he 
had  two  hundred  trusty  men  to  stand  by  him 
he  would  defy  the  king  and  all  his  legions." 

"Unwise,  unwise!"  said  the  minister, 
thoughtfully.  ' '  Goffe  is  ambitious  and  chaf- 
eth  under  his  forced  exile,  but  it  is  better 
that  he  remain  quietly  in  hiding  for  the  pres- 
ent. We  have  great  need  of  cool  heads  and 
strong  hearts.  God  only  can  read .  the 
future  !  " 

Marston's  daughter  came  along  as  they 
stood  talking.  She  was  gathering  dandelions 
with  the  other  children,  and  had  her  hands 
full.  She  dropped  a  courtesy  to  the  minister 
as  she  passed,  and  gave  her  father  an  affec- 
tionate look. 

"  The  child  seemeth  ill,"  said  Master  Dav- 
enport. "  Hath  the  goodwife  seen  her  ?  " 

(There  was  no  doctor  in  the  colony  at  this 
time,  and  Goody  Bascombe  was  always  called 
in  emergencies.) 

"  Nay,  she  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord," 
was  the  solemn  reply.  "  If  it  be  His  will  that 
she  suffer,  far  be  it  from  me  to  interfere  with 
His  divine  plans  !  " 

"  Methinks  you  judge  our  heavenly  Father 
wrongfully,"  said  the  minister,  shocked  at 
Marston's  cold-blooded  manner.  "He  hath 


1 84  THE  REGICIDES. 

given  us  enlightened  minds  -wherewith  to 
study  ourselves  that  we  may  strengthen  our 
bodies,  and  avoid  disease.  We  do  but  poorly 
render  our  account  if  we  neglect  those  means 
which  have  been  placed  within  our  reach." 

1 '  He  that  letteth  not  even  a  sparrow  fall 
unheeded  will  care  for  His  own  as  it  seemeth 
to  Him  best,"  returned  the  schoolmaster. 
"  The  Lord  hath  chastened  me  sorely  in  the 
past,  and  if  it  be  His  will  that  still  further 
afflictions  be  laid  upon  me,  His  will  be  done  !  " 

"  I  fear,  Master  Marston,  that  thou  makest 
the  question  too  personal,"  said  the  minister. 
"  We  are  all  prone  to  do  so,  but  think  you 
not  that  a  little  good  nursing,  with  a  draught 
of  proper  herb  tea  now  and  then,  would  bring 
the  child's  health  back  again  ?  She  lacketh 
a  mother's  care,  and  we  men  do  not  see  at  all 
times  what  a  little  petting  may  do." 

"  Heaven  forbid  that  I  should  hinder  the 
decrees  of  life  and  death,"  replied  Marston, 
gloomily.  "What  mattereth  that  a  body 
die  so  long  as  the  soul  be  saved  ?  ' ' 

"The  body  is  the  temple  of  the  soul," 
rejoined  Master  Davenport.  "  He  that  look- 
eth  not  to  the  temple  to  make  it  strong  and 
beautiful,  doeth  not  the  will  of  the  I,ord." 


THE  REGICIDES.  185 

"Ay,  but  when  the  temple  falleth  by  its 
own  weakness,  shall  we  not  rather  turn  our 
thoughts  to  the  spirit  lest  it  take  a  sudden 
flight  unprepared?  " 

"But  the  child's  body  is  sound,  as  I  be- 
lieve. It  only  droopeth  for  want  of  proper 
sunshine  and  nourishment.  Let  me,  I  prithee, 
send  the  good  wife  around.  Her  motherly 
touch  alone  may  suffice  to  brighten  the 
patient." 

Marston  shook  his  head. 

' '  The  L,ord  may  pour  His  vials  of  wrath 
upon  my  head  if  He  seeth  fit.  I  shall  bear 
the  chastisement  in  meekness  and  humility." 

The  narrowness  of  the  schoolmaster  was 
trying  enough  at  all  times,  but  when  the  life 
of  a  human  being  depended  upon  his  action 
the  case  was  particularly  exasperating.  It 
had  been  so  in  his  wife's  illness,  rendered 
fatal  only  by  lack  of  sympathy  and  care.  He 
had  viewed  her  decline  and  death  only  as  a 
divine  punishment  for  his  sins,  a  chastise- 
ment sent  for  the  good  of  his  soul.  It  had 
never  occurred  to  him  that  he  had  rudely 
torn  a  human  flower  up  by  the  roots  and  cast 
it  into  a  desert  to  wither  and  die.  His  daugh- 
ter's frail  health  meant  only  an  additional  vis- 
itation upon  himself.  The  thought  of  its 


1 86  THE  REGICIDES. 

meaning  anything  to  her  never  entered  his 
mind. 

The  minister  had  tried  so  many  times  to 
break  down  the  fanatical  barrier  that  stood 
between  Marston  and  a  sensible  view  of  life, 
that  he  knew  how  hopeless  would  be  any  fur- 
ther attempts.  He  secretly  resolved  to  let 
drop  a  hint  in  Abigail's  presence,  which 
would  be  worth  more  than  an  eternity  of 
argument  with  the  schoolmaster.  He  asked 
the  magistrate  to  call  in  the  evening  for  a  few 
minutes,  and  continued  his  walk. 

There  is  no  surer  cure  for  our  own  troubles 
than  to  become  interested  in  those  of  others. 
The  minister  forgot  for  a  time  the  danger 
that  hung  over  him,  and  sought  to  contrive 
some  means  whereby  he  might  secure  for  lit- 
tle Hope  Marston  the  attention  she  needed. 
In  his  extremity  he  called  on  Goody  Bas- 
combe,  whose  potent  herbs  had  assisted  sick 
nature  through  many  a  crisis,  in  the  absence 
of  a  regular  physician. 

"  Ah,  how  sad  !  "  said  Goody,  when  she 
heard  the  full  details.  ' '  The  poor  child  hath 
no  strength  of  body,  but  it  might  be  made  to 
grow  with  proper  care.  What  say  you,  wi'l 
he  not  hearken  to  my  seeing  her  ?  ' ' 

"I  fear  he  will  not.     My  words  with  him 


THE  REGICIDES.  187 

were  fruitless,  but  I  prithee  go  and  see  what 
thou  canst  avail." 

After  leaving  Goody  Bascombe's  house  he 
met  Martha  Malbon  vacantly  strolling  about 
the  market-place.  The  poor  girl  had  lost  her 
reason  at  the  cruel  whipping-post,  and  had 
ever  since  been  a  harmless  lunatic.  Her  long 
golden  hair  was  streaming  down  her  back, 
and  there  was  a  mournful  light  in  her  beauti- 
ful sad  eyes.  She  stretched  out  her  hands  to 
Master  Davenport  as  they  met. 

"  Pity  me,  sir;  pity  me  !  "  she  said  pathet- 
ically. 

Tears  ran  down  the  minister's  face  as  he 
passed  on. 

"  A  wreck  at  nineteen  !  "  he  said  to  him- 
self. "  May  God  forgive  her  father  !  " 

It  was  later  than  usual  when  he  reached 
home.  The  supper  table  was  spread,  and  the 
mistress  sat  knitting  by  the  window.  She 
gave  a  quick  glance  at  her  husband's  face, 
lyove  read  the  tale  of  care  and  sorrow  that 
had  so  often  been  written  there  during  the 
years  that  had  flown. 

During  the  repast  he  related  his  experience 
with  Marston.  Abigail  was  all  attention. 
Her  first  impulse  was  to  rush  to  Hope's 
assistance  that  very  hour,  but  the  minister's 


1 88  THE  REGICIDES. 

wiser  counsel  prevailed.  A  little  judicious 
attention,  he  said,  in  concert  with  Goody 
Bascoinbe,  would  accomplish  most. 

But  Abigail's  heart  was  not  easily  stilled. 
As  she  sat  by  the  hearth  corner  in  the  even- 
ing and  thought  about  it,  the  tears  started  in 
spite  of  all  her  efforts  at  self-control. 

John  sat  across  the  room  and  watched  the 
fire-light  play  over  her  face.  Poor  John  was 
struggling  with  a  far  different  emotion.  Cu- 
pid, sly  little  god,  had  been  hovering  about 
him  all  winter,  and  now,  while  this  quiet 
fireside  scene  was  being  enacted,  there  was  a 
twang  of  the  little  bowstring,  and  an  arrow 
sped  straight  to  the  victim's  heart. 


XVIII. 

England  lost  a  soldier  and  statesman  worthy 
the  name  when  William  Goffe  was  driven 
from  her  shores  by  a  faithless  despot.  His 
generalship  was  bold  to  the  pitch  of  daring, 
but  it  was  the  boldness  of  cool  calculation 
and  conscious  power.  Cromwell  chose  wisely 
when  he  made  him  a  major-general,  and  later 
a  shire-governor  and  personal  adviser. 
Goffe's  conceptions  and  plans  of  action  daz- 


THE  REGICIDES.  189 

zled  ordinary  men  b)r  their  brilliancy.  They 
could  not  climb  to  his  heights.  He  began 
where  others  left  off.  His  mind  balked  at  no 
difficulty.  He  took  risks  that  appalled  his 
comrades,  but  when  the  critical  moment  came 
he  turned  what  seemed  hopeless  defeat  into 
triumphant  success  by  sheer  courage. 

These  qualities  were  soon  called  into  action, 
for  the  minister's  case,  which  for  a  few  days, 
seemed  more  hopeful,  suddenly  became  alarm- 
ingly desperate.  When  Kellond  and  Kirke 
left  the  colony  they  offered  handsome  rewards 
to  any  one  who  should  give  information  lead- 
ing to  the  apprehension  of  the  fugitives. 
Brockton  had  arranged  to  supervise  opera- 
tions, and  secure,  if  not  the  men  themselves, 
at  least  a  case  against  those  who  had  har- 
bored them  and  helped  to  defeat  the  king's 
mandate.  Brockton  felt  sure  that  Master 
Davenport  either  had  the  men  under  his  own 
roof,  or  was  a  party  to  their  hiding,  and  with 
the  true  instinct  of  a  man-hunter,  he  concen- 
trated all  his  forces  upon  one  point.  He  spent 
several  nights  in  watching  the  house,  and 
finally,  one  rainy  evening,  saw  two  tall  men 
closely  wrapped  in  long  cloaks,  emerge  from 
the  minister's  doorway,  peer  cautiously  up 
and  down  the  street,  then  walk  hurriedly 


1 90  THE  REGICIDES. 

across  to  William  Jones',  where  they  were 
instantly  admitted  without  even  knocking. 
Brockton  had  no  doubt  as  to  who  the  myste- 
rious men  were.  Ordinary  people  never 
moved  like  that,  he  reasoned.  And  there 
was  a  deep  significance  in  the  fact  that  their 
coming  was  expected  across  the  way. 

The  discovery  was  of  little  importance  from 
one  point  of  view.  True,  it  gave  him  a  clue 
which  might  be  of  the  greatest  importance  in 
the  future,  but  as  evidence  it  was  really 
worthless,  for  he  had  no  way  of  corroborating 
his  own  statement.  The  only  way  to  secure 
corroboration  was  to  bring  witnesses  and  con- 
tinue the  watch.  But  in  all  further  opera- 
tions he  was  unsuccessful.  Night  after  night 
he  lay  in  the  minister's  shrubbery  with  sleep- 
less eyes,  but  no  sign  of  the  men  appeared. 
Keen  wits  were  active  to  thwart  his  plans. 

On  the  evening  following  the  meeting  of 
the  magistrates  there  was  a  session  at  the 
minister's  house.  He  had  been  in  his  study 
but  a  short  time  after  leaving  the  supper 
table,  when  William  Jones  appeared,  and 
soon  after,  the  magistrate.  Jones'  enthusiasm 
was  deep  and  intense.  His  own  father  had 
signed  the  death  warrant  of  Charles  Stuart, 
and  had  gone  to  the  scaffold  by  order  of 
Charles  the  SecorA 


THE  REGICIDES.  191 

"  Well,"  said  the  minister,  when  all  were 
comfortably  seated,  "what  is  to  be  done  ?  A 
search  will  be  ordered  in  a  few  days,  and  the 
men  must  be  safely  hidden.  I  know  what 
will  be  their  wish — to  leave  the  colony  rather 
than  make  us  further  trouble.  That  I  will 
never  consent  to  so  long  as  I  can  be  of  any 
service  to  them.  None  can  protect  them  so 
well  as  ourselves,  and  upon  none  can  the 
sacred  trust  so  properly  be  laid." 

"  Thy  risk  is  great,"  said  Gilbert,  thought- 
fully, ' '  and  a  false  step  would  be  a  serious 
matter  for  thee.  As  thou  sayest,  the  obliga- 
tion for  their  care  and  protection  cannot  else- 
where be  so  great  as  here.  Our  sympathies 
and  past  ties  all  demand  that  we  stand  by 
them ;  but,  Master  Davenport,  I  tremble  for 
thy  safety.  We  who  do  but  lend  our  counsel 
take  but  little  chance,  but  thou,  under  whose 
roof  they  hide,  art  the  object  of  a  bitter 
resentment.  That  fact  was  made  plain  at 
our  meeting  to-day." 

' '  God  forbid  that  I  should  shrink  from  my 
duty  because  it  involves  danger !  ' '  replied 
the  minister  fervently. 

' '  Methinks  but  one  course  remaineth  open, " 
said  Jones.  ' '  They  cannot  remain  here.  The 
very  dooryards,  as  I  believe,  are  nightly  filled 


192  THE  REGICIDES. 

with  spies.  The  danger  is  too  great  for  thee 
and  for  them.  In  a  little  while  this  house 
must  be  searched,  and  mine  as  well.  The 
General  Court  will  meet  on  Friday.  There 
is  no  time  to  spare.  I/et  them  go  to  my  mill 
Thursday  night.  They  can  leave  in  the 
morning  before  light,  and  hide  themselves  in 
the  mountain  during  the  day.  That  opera- 
tion can  be  repeated  until  the  search  is  over." 

' '  How  about  the  miller  ?  ' '  asked  the  min- 
ister. "  Is  he  a  man  of  discretion  ?  ' ' 

' '  The  worthy  miller  hath  a  tongue  that  is 
hung  in  the  middle  andwaggeth  both  ways," 
replied  Jones,  "but  if  we  are  careful  it  can  be 
accomplished  without  his  knowledge." 

' '  And  what  then  ?  ' ' 

' '  Then  we  shall  have  a  plain  situation  be- 
fore us  to  be  met  according  to  circumstances. 
If  a  thorough  search  be  made,  methinks  the 
king  will  be  satisfied,  and  that  all  vigilance 
will  be  relaxed." 

But  the  minister  shook  his  head. 

"The  monarch  who  has  hanged,  drawn  and 
quartered  those  who  surrendered  to  his  prom- 
ise of  pardon  will  not  stop  at  one  failure  to 
capture  those  who  ran  away.  His  vigilance 
will  never  be  relaxed.  Party  feeling  and  a 
desire  to  exterminate  every  vestige  of  Puri- 


THE  REGICIDES.  193 

tanisin  will  spur  him  on.  He  may  remain 
quiet  for  a  time,  but  it  will  be  the  quiet  of  the 
panther  that  crouches  hidden  until  the  prey 
is  off  its  guard.  Whatever  is  done  must  be 
done  for  the  future  as  well  as  for  the  pres- 
ent." 

' '  Then  let  us  adopt  this  means  of  present 
safety  until  the  search  be  over.  It  will  give 
time  to  get  the  full  bearing  of  the  situation. 
In  the  meantime  they  will  be  safe." 

"  You  can  hardly  do  better,"  said  Gilbert, 
on  whom  the  minister  relied  for  wisdom  as  he 
did  on  Jones  for  fertility  of  resource.  "It 
may  be  prudent  to  note  the  trend  of  events 
before  acting  further." 

It  did  not  seem  to  them  as  they  sat  there 
and  discussed  the  situation  that  out  of  it 
harm  could  come  to  any  one.  But  the  dead- 
liest storms  often  gather  in  the  smilingest  of 
summer  skies. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  night  when  Brock- 
ton saw  Whalley  and  Goffe,  they  were  on 
their  way  to  the  mill,  and  never  again  re- 
turned to  the  house. 

The  General  Court  met  and  ordered  a 
search,  and  owing  to  the  insidious  prompt- 
ings of  Brockton  the  searchers  made  the  min- 
ister's house  the  first  point  of  attack.  Of 


194  THE  XEGICIDES. 

course  the  visit  revealed  nothing,  but  it  filled 
his  friends  with  a  new  dread  to  know  that  he 
was  so  prominent  an  object  of  suspicion. 

Brockton  had  plans  of  his  own,  however, 
which  were  to  be  far-reaching  in  their  re- 
sults. 

As  soon  as  Goffe  learned  the  condition  of 
affairs,  he  determined  to  be  no  longer  a 
means  of  drawing  his  friends  into  fresh 
trouble.  Whalley,  with  the  infirmities  of  age 
creeping  steadily  upon  him,  insisted  011  giv- 
ing himself  up  rather  than  involve  others.  A 
council  was  held  at  the  mill  one  night,  and 
Goffe  proposed  a  stratagem  which  he  believed 
would  effectually  put  an  end  to  all  suspicion, 
and  still  leave  them  in  the  care  of  those 
whose  devotion  was  so  much  needed.  The 
next  day  was  Training-Day,  and  while  it 
would  be  a  very  dangerous  day  on  which  to 
fail,  owing  to  the  numbers  of  armed  men  who 
would  be  in  town,  a  better  time  could  not  be 
chosen  on  which  to  put  the  plan  to  the  test. 
Should  the  ruse  prove  a  failure,  the  fugitives 
would  be  captured,  and  all  question  as  to  the 
minister's  complicity  would  be  at  an  end. 
Master  Davenport  objected  to  so  daring  a 
step,  saying  he  would  rather  take  the  chance 
of  discovery  himself  than  kt  them  run  so 


THE  REGICIDES.  IQ5 

great  a  risk.  But  there  was  a  light  in  Goffe's 
brilliant  eyes  that  showed  that  he,  at  least, 
knew  no  such  word  as  fail. 

The  others  shook  their  heads  and  looked 
sadly  at  the  two  fugitives,  as  it  seemed  for 
the  last  time.  They  had  helped  to  free  Eng- 
land from  one  tyrant,  and  were  now  being 
driven  to  bay  by  another. 


XIX. 

The  next  morning  everything  was  hurry 
and  bustle  in  the  town.  On  almost  every 
doorstep  could  be  seen  a  man  cleaning  his 
flint-lock  musket,  and  gathered  around  him 
was  the  inevitable  group  of  wondering  chil- 
dren. The  good  wives  were  inspecting  long 
rows  of  tempting  pies  and  huge  loaves  of 
cake,  and  were  putting  the  final  touches  to 
that  unknown  and  unknowable  quantity 
called  by  New  England  housewives  "work." 
Daughters  were  becoming  anxious  to  slip 
away  and  make  themselves  fit  for  the  admir- 
ing glances  of  the  Puritan  youth  who  were 
that  day  to  appear  in  the  market-place. 
These  same  youth  might  pass  by  every  day 
in  the  year  goading  a  }roke  of  stupid  oxen. 


196  THE  REGICIDES. 

and  never  elicit  a  sigh,  but  stand  them  in  a 
row  with  gun  in  hand  and  a  big-voiced  officer 
to  order  them  about,  and  they  became  heroes 
to  be  worshipped.  There  is  nothing  poetic 
about  driving  oxen.  It  is  the  sleepiest  sort 
of  prose  duty.  But  when  a  young  man  leaves 
the  ploughshare  to  take  up  the  sword,  even 
for  training  in  the  skillful  use  of  it,  there  is 
somewhat  about  him  that  sends  a  thrill 
through  the  dullest  nerve. 

On  all  sides  of  the  square  booths  had  been 
erected  the  night  before,  and  already  tooth- 
some cakes  and  throatsome  beverages  were 
being  dispensed  to  those  who  had  ridden  a 
distance.  The  ubiquitous  small  boys 
strolled  about  with  wooden  gun  and  home- 
made drum,  scenting  the  battle  afar  like  so 
many  Trojan  war-horses. 

The  local  companies  were  out  early,  and 
cut  a  fine  figure  as  they  marched,  first 
through  the  streets  and  then  from  point  to 
point  about  the  market-place.  Then  the 
Milford  company  arrived  with  Major  Robert 
Treat  at  their  head.  A  little  later  the  Bran- 
ford  and  Guilford  companies  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance, and  the  other  outljdng  towns  were 
in  due  time  represented.  The  air  was  filled 
with  martial  sounds.  Drums  beat,  fifes 


THE  REGICIDES.  197 

screamed,  and  officers  shouted  words  of  com- 
mand. 

The  roll-call  discovered  several  absentees. 
Richard  Sperry,  model  of  punctuality  as  of  all 
the  other  manly  virtues,  was  of  them.  Rich- 
ard, what  will  your  descendants  say  if  you 
allow  such  things  to  happen?  Poor  exam- 
ple, sir,  very  poor!  A  lost  cow?  Ah,  that 
alters  the  case.  But  I  prithee,  Master  Sperry, 
do  not  let  her  wander  on  the  west  mount- 
ain, lest  she  meet  two  strangers  who  desire 
to  be  let  alone.* 

The  militia  companies  were  drawn  up  in 
line,  every  man  in  his  place,  and  the  inspec- 
tion was  well  under  way.  The  clerk  was 
diligently  noting  the  imperfect  locks,  and  the 
rusty  side  arms,  and  the  empty  ammunition 
pouches  as  they  were  told  off  by  the  inspec- 
tor. A  little  commotion  on  Market  Street 
did  not  interrupt  the  exercise,  yet  there  ap- 
peared to  be  two  able-bodied  men  (one  per- 
haps beyond  the  military  age)  talking  with 
the  women  and  children,  instead  of  being  in 
place  in  the  ranks.  Before  the  inspection 
was  finished  they  had  passed  on  and  out  of 
sight.  Then  Thomas  Kimberly,  the  marshal, 
went  to  inquire  who  the  recreants  were. 


*See  Colonial  Records. 


198  THE  REGICIDES. 

' '  They  be  Masters  General  Wlialley  and 
General  Goffe,"  said  the  first  woman  met. 

' '  Whalley  and  Goffe  !  ' '  exclaimed  the 
marshal,  dumbfounded.  "  Impossible  !  " 

"There  be  no  doubt  it  is  true.  I  saw  them 
with  these  eyes. ' ' 

' '  How  know  you  it  was  they  ?  ' ' 

' '  Did  I  not  see  them  when  they  came  here 
before,  and  all  the  town  shook  hands  with 
them?  Mayhap  I  am  blind,  Master  Marshal. 
Ask  Goody  Jameson." 

"I  saw  them  not  before,"  said  Goody 
Jameson,  ' '  but  the  younger  told  me  he  was 
General  Goffe,  and  that  the  old  man  was  his 
father-in-law,  General  Whalley." 

"  What  said  they  else  ? ' ' 

"That  certain  persons  were  unjustly  sus- 
picioned  of  harboring  on  'em,  and  rather 
than  have  innocent  ones  suffer  they  had  come 
from  a  distance  and  would  give  themselves 
up.  They  looked  weary  and  travel- worn,  as 
though  they  had  walked  many  miles." 

"What  else?     Quick!" 

"They  inquired  the  way  to  the  house  of 
Governor  Leete." 

' '  And  was  nothing  more  said  ?  ' ' 

"Nay,  no  more,  only  to  ask  what  was 
afoot  on  the  market-place  when  they  saw  ye 
all  drawn  up  in  line." 


THE  REGICIDES.  199 

Marshal  Kimberly  was  in  a  quandary.  He 
walked  slowly  back  and  told  what  he  had 
heard  to  the  commanding  officer.  An  inves- 
tigation soon  settled  the  question  beyond  all 
doubt.  It  was  also  learned  that  the  two  gen- 
erals had  gone  toward  the  eastward,  as 
though  having  Guilford  for  their  destination. 
Kimberly  was  no  zealous  royalist,  but  he 
knew  his  duty  and  was  prepared  to  do  it.  He 
sent  for  his  horse,  and  in  a  few  minutes  was 
riding  at  full  gallop  toward  Guilford. 

"There!"  said  Major  Treat  to  Matthew 
Gilbert,  as  the  marshal  disappeared  around 
the  corner.  ' '  I  hope  this  will  be  the  last  of 
the  talk  against  Master  Davenport." 

But  Gilbert  was  uneasy.  He  saw  no  pos- 
sible escape  now  for  his  friends. 

Kimberly  rode  more  than  a  mile  out  into 
the  country  without  even  a  glimpse  of  the 
two  men,  but  he  recollected  that  they  had 
more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  start  of 
him.  As  soon  as  he  swung  around  in  view 
of  Neck  Bridge,  he  espied  them  less  than 
forty  rods  ahead,  walking  briskly  along  with 
stout  staves  in  their  hands. 

"Halt!"  shouted  the  marshal,  when  he 
had  come  within  hailing  distance. 

This  military  command  was  immediately 


200  THE  REGICIDES. 

obeyed.  The  two  generals  took  position 
against  a  large  oak  tree  and  waited  for  the 
marshal  to  advance. 

' '  Surrender  !  ' '  commanded  Kimberly. 

"  By  what  authorit}r  ?  "  replied  Goffe,  who 
thought  he  saw  an  advantage,  both  in  posi- 
tion and  superior  numbers. 

"  By  authority  of  the  General  Court,  whose 
warrant  I  hold  !  ' ' 

"Read  it." 

This  was  a  poser.  As  a  matter  of  fact  the 
marshal  had  forgotten  to  bring  it  in  his  haste 
to  effect  a  capture.  In  his  quandary  he  sat 
on  his  horse  and  looked  at  them,  and  they 
gripped  their  cudgels  and  looked  at  him. 
The  situation  began  to  border  on  the  ludi- 
crous. There  was  nothing  left  for  Kimberly 
but  to  make  a  desperate  move. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  he,  in  a  more  pacific 
tone,  "  it  is  rumored  that  it  is  your  intention 
to  deliver  yourselves  up  instead  of  putting  the 
colony  to  the  trouble  of  making  a  formal 
arrest.  Be  assured  that  it  will  stand  you  in 
good  stead  to  pursue  that  course.  It  will  be 
better  both  for  you  and  for  those  suspected  of 
hiding  you.  Return  quietly  to  the  town  with 
me,  and  every  possible  arrangement  for  your 
comfort  will  be  made." 


THE  REGICIDES.  2OI 

"  I  prytliee,  sir,  to  whom  have  we  the 
honor  of  listening  ?  "  asked  Goffe  quietly. 

"To  the  marshal  of  the  jurisdiction,"  re- 
plied Kimberly,  modestly,  for  he  was  not  one 
to  exploit  his  own  titles.  "  I  am  a  proper 
authority  to  receive  your  surrender." 

' '  Prove  thy  assertion  and  we  will  talk  fur- 
ther with  thee,  not  otherwise." 

"Prove  what  everybody  knows!"  ex- 
claimed the  marshal.  Then  he  recollected 
that  his  opponents  in  this  fencing  match  were 
not  strictly  residents  of  New  Haven. 

"  Come  with  me  to  the  nearest  house,  and 
all  doubt  will  soon  be  removed." 

"  Pray  accept  our  regrets,"  replied  Goffe, 
"but  unless  thou  canst  show  thy  right  to  de- 
tain us,  be  so  kind  as  to  stand  aside  and  allow 
us  to  continue  our  journey." 

Kimberly  was  at  his  wit's  end.  He  was 
completely  outgeneralled  in  the  preliminary 
skirmish,  and  being  a  man  of  sound  sense  he 
knew  it.  While  he  was  somewhat  depressed 
at  his  failure,  he  could  not  help  admiring  the 
skill  of  his  opponent.  There  was  nothing 
left  now  but  to  return  to  town  for  credentials 
and  assistance.  So  bowing  with  a  grace  and 
courtesy  that  were  rare  in  those  days  of  puri- 


202  THE  REGICIDES. 

tanical  severity,  he  wheeled  and  galloped 
back  to  New  Haven. 

"  That  is  what  Oliver  would  have  called  a 
close  rub,"  said  Goffe,  when  Kimberly  had 
disappeared.  "  Had  the  marshal  brought 
his  ammunition  with  him  we  must  surely 
have  surrendered . ' ' 

' '  Thou  wert  made  for  greater  exploits 
than  these,  William!"  exclaimed  the  old 
man  with  enthusiasm.  "  England  will  yet 
find  thee  again  sitting  high  in  her  councils." 

"  I  pray  God  she  may,"  replied  Goffe,  in 
whom  action  developed  a  sort  of  fiery  energy 
that  was  glorious. 

They  continued  their  way  eastward  until 
they  came  to  the  bridge,  where  Whalley 
found  it  necessary  to  take  a  short  rest  Prov- 
identially or  accidentally  (according  to  the 
theological  views  of  the  reader)  the  tarry  was 
prolonged  for  several  minutes,  and  to  that 
short  delay  they  owed  another  escape  from 
capture.  They  had  already  stepped  from  the 
bridge  to  pursue  their  journey  when  they 
heard  the  sound  of  galloping  horses  to  the 
eastward.  Goffe  quickly  turned  and  dragged 
his  father-in-law  down  the  steep  bank  and 
around  under  the  bridge.  The  abutments 
were  low,  and  the  full  tide  set  the  water 


THE  REGICIDES.  203 

nearly  up  to  the  floor  of  the  bridge,  but  hesi- 
tation at  such  a  moment  might  be  fatal. 
The  two  men  stood  in  the  water  to  their  arm- 
pits, while  the  horses'  hoofs  clattered  over- 
head and  disappeared  in  the  distance.  When 
all  was  quiet  they  crawled  out  of  the  water 
and  up  the  bank.  Not  a  soul  was  in  sight, 
and  the  men  quickly  made  their  way  to  a 
piece  of  thick  woods  near  by. 

"  Now,"  said  Goffe,  when  they  were  in  a 
situation  to  take  a  long  breath  with  perfect 
safety,  "  our  plan  hath  succeeded.  Nothing 
now  remains  except  to  get  back  to  the  mill 
under  cover  of  darkness." 

They  watched  Marshal  Kimberly  and  a 
posse  of  assistants  as  they  galloped  on  a  sec- 
ond expedition.  These  went  tearing  over 
Neck  Bridge  at  a  furious  pace,  and  on  toward 
Guilford.  It  transpired  later  that  Brockton 
was  with  them,  and  that  he  and  two  associ- 
ates were  the  ones  who  had  ridden  over  the 
bridge  while  the  generals  were  under  it. 
Brockton  had  his  warrant  with  him.  He  was 
never  parted  from  it.  To  him  its  solitary 
folded  page  was  the  center  of  the  universe 
around  which  everything  Brocktonian  re- 
volved. 


204  THE  REGICIDES. 

XX. 

Abigail  found  her  crusade  against  Jonathan 
Marston  no  easy  task.  That  stern  visaged 
dispenser  of  learning  refused  point  blank  to 
allow  any  interference  with  his  domestic 
affairs.  Abigail  urged  in  vain  that  Hope 
would  die  unless  her  decline  was  checked  and 
her  cough  broken  up.  Marston  solemnly  de- 
clared that  the  issues  of  life  and  death  were 
with  the  I^ord  of  Hosts,  and  that  anything 
that  man  might  do  could  avail  nothing  ;  that 
the  day  of  Hope's  death  had  been  fixed  before 
creation.  Goody  Bascombe  went  to  the 
cheerless  rooms  that  the  Marstoiis  called  home, 
and  carried  soothing  herbs. 

"  Goody  Bascombe,"  said  the  schoolmaster 
one  morning,  "all  thy  decoctions  are  an  af- 
front to  the  divine  will.  Christ  alone  can 
heal  the  sick.  He  knoweth  when  the  child 
shall  be  called  home.  Thy  meddling  of- 
fendeth  Him  as  it  doth  me.  As  foj  thy  pres- 
ence, it  is  welcome  ;  but  as  for  thy  herbs,  let 
me  not  see  them  again." 

A  decree  from  such  a  source  could  be  noth- 
ing else  than  final.  Goody  cast  a  look  of 
motherly  tenderness  on  the  pale  child  sitting 
by  the  window,  and  went  sadly  home. 


THE  REGICIDES.  205 

One  day  Abigail  thought  she  had  hit  upon 
a  scheme  that  would  work.  The  more  she 
thought  about  it  the  surer  she  became.  She 
confided  her  idea  to  John,  and  John  called  her 
an  angel.  He  just  blurted  it  out  as  though 
he  couldn't  help  it,  and  then  looked  ashamed 
of  his  enthusiasm.  Abigail  looked  queerly  at 
him  a  minute,  then  went  off  to  find  Mistress 
Davenport. 

"I  would  that  I  were  rich!"  sighed  the 
little  diplomat,  after  trying  various  ways  of 
leading  up  to  the  subject  without  success. 

(The  mistress  was  knitting,  and  Abigail 
was  just  in  time  to  hold  a  skein  of  yarn.) 

"  And  what  wouldst  thou  do  with  riches, 
my  daughter  ?" 

"  I  would  make  some  poor  people  happy." 

The  mistress  smiled. 

11  That  is  an  old  saying,  but  knowest  thou 
not  that  with  riches  often  cometh  forgetfulness 
of  the  poor?" 

"  Nay,  it  would  not  be  so  with  me.  In 
truth  I  would  not  need  to  be  so  very  rich." 

1 '  What  hast  thou  on  thy  mind  ?" 

"  The  schoolmaster's  daughter." 

1 '  She  needeth  healing  herbs  and  thought- 
ful care  rather  than  riches.  These  are  luxu- 
ries that  the  poorest  can  afford." 


206  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Yet  she  hath  them  not.  If  I  only  did  but 
have  a  house  of  my  own  I  would  take  her 
and  nurse  her  back  to  life  and  strength. 
Goody  Bascombe  saith  her  only  trouble  is  a 
frail  body,  except  a  little  cough  that  could 
easily  be  cured." 

The  tears  came  into  Mistress  Davenport's 
eyes. 

' '  Bring  the  lass  here  if  he  will  let  thee. 
The  house  is  large,  and  John  is  the  only  child 
that  ever  played  around  the  hearthstone.  Do 
thou  go  at  once." 

Marston  was  sitting  by  a  window  reading  a 
theological  treatise  aloud  for  the  good  of  his 
daughter's  soul,  when  Abigail  called.  The 
very  air  had  a  brimstone  flavor.  The  chapter 
he  was  reading  had  particular  reference  to 
the  probability  of  children  being  able — hav- 
ing been  born  in  sin — to  so  far  comprehend 
the  plan  of  salvation  and  avail  themselves  of 
its  conditions  as  to  escape  the  flames  of  Hell. 
The  little  victim  of  pre-natal  wrath  sat 
patiently  listening,  with  a  worried  look  on 
her  face.  Marston  civilly  offered  his  visitor 
a  chair,  and  waited  for  her  to  begin  the  con- 
versation. Her  Puritan  training  stood  her 
in  good  stead.  She  had  been  taught  to  be 
direct  with  direct  people. 


THE  REGICIDES.  207 

"  Master  Marston,  I  love  Hope  as  a  sister. 
It  will  soon  be  time  for  me  to  return  to  Bran- 
ford,  and  then  I  shall  see  her  no  more  until 
next  winter.  Let  her  come  and  spend  a  few 
days  with  me  at  the  parsonage,  that  I  may 
have  her  with  me  constantly." 

Hope's  eyes  opened  wide.  She  looked 
earnestly  at  her  father  for  a  moment,  then 
walked  over  and  took  hold  of  Abigail's  hand. 

"  What  saith  Mistress  Davenport  ?  " 

"  She  hath  expressed  her  pleasure." 

"  Oh,  may  I  go,  father  ?  "  exclaimed  Hope, 
taking  Marston's  question  as  an  indication  of 
assent. 

' '  We  will  take  heed  that  no  harm  befalls 
her,"  urged  Abigail. 

Hope  slipped  a  slender  arm  around  her 
waist. 

Jonathan  Marston  was  really  touched  by 
this  invitation  from  the  minister's  household. 
He  felt  it  an  honor  to  be  considered  a  social 
equal,  and  while  affecting  to  scorn  all  such 
distinctions,  he  yielded  with  more  grace  than 
he  had  shown  for  many  a  day. 

"  And  may  I  go  now?  "  asked  Hope,  with 
dancing  eyes. 

"  Yes,  my  child,  but  forget  not  thy  prayers 


208  THE  REGICIDES. 

and  thy  meditations.  Sathan  is  ever  watch- 
ing to  snare  the  unwary  soul." 

Hope  gathered,  a  few  necessaries  into  a 
bundle,  and  was  soon  skipping  along  the 
market-place  by  the  side  of  Abigail.  Her 
heart  beat  fast,  and  her  face  glowed  with 
pleasure.  It  was  the  first  real  sunshine  that 
had  come  into  her  life  for  a  long  time. 

Mistress  Davenport  was  astonished.  She 
had  felt  certain  that  the  schoolmaster  would 
refuse.  But  now  she  laid  her  knitting  down 
and  kissed  Hope  tenderly.  A  chamber  was 
made  ready  at  the  back  of  the  house  where 
the  sun  would  shine  all  day,  and  a  little  fire 
was  built  on  the  hearth  to  take  away  any 
dampness  that  might  linger.  Then  Abigail 
ran  across  the  garden  to  tell  the  news  to 
Goody  Bascombe. 

' '  The  Lord  be  praised  !  ' '  was  that  good 
woman's  first  exclamation.  "  We  shall  save 
the  child  now.  A  little  herb  tea  for  the 
cough,  and  the  cheer  of  thy  household  for  her 
spirits  will  do  it.  Hand  thou  me  the  bundle 
that  hangs  over  the  fireplace,  and  the  tea 
shall  be  brewed  in  a  twinkling." 

Abigail  took  down  the  fragrant  bundle  and 
laid  it  on  the  table,  while  Goody  filled  her 
kettle  and  hung  it  on  the  crane.  A  few  dry 


THE  REGICIDES.  209 

sticks  set  the  fire  blazing,  and  in  a  little  time 
the  kettle  was  singing  away  as  if  in  very  joy 
at  the  prospect  of  helping. 

"I  will  run  back  now,"  said  Abigail. 
' '  Thou  wilt  come  soon  ?  ' ' 

"  Ay,  within  a  half  hour  by  the  glass,  and 
do  thou  see  that  nobody  carries  the  child 
away,"  with  a  humorous  twist  of  the  feat- 
ures. 

Abigail  ran  home  and  found  Hope  com- 
pletely overwhelmed  by  the  attention  she  was 
receiving.  She  was  afraid  everybody  would 
be  tired  with  doing  for  her,  and  wanted  to  do 
Mistress  Davenport's  knitting. 

"  Ah,  take  that  awaj',  child,  and  I  would 
be  lost.  It  would  be  like  taking  a  baby  out 
of  my  arms,"  said  the  mistress;  and  Hope 
contented  herself  by  being  very  good  and 
making  as  little  trouble  as  possible. 

In  a  week  there  was  a  new  Hope  Marston 
running  about  the  minister's  house.  She 
had  the  form  and  features  of  the  old  one,  but 
far  more  vivacity  and  sparkle.  The  dull 
look  had  gone  out  of  her  eyes,  and  the  pallor 
of  her  face  had  changed  for  just  a  faint  sug- 
gestion of  rosiness.  There  was  no  atmos- 
phere of  gloom  here.  Sunshine  filled  every 
soul.  Cheerfulness  was  an  ever-present  duty 


210  THE  REGICIDES. 

that  each  owed  to  himself  and  to  every  other. 
The  irritating  cough  was  fast  disappearing, 
thanks  to  Goody  Bascombe's  daily  trips 
across  the  garden,  and  to  the  general  im- 
provement in  tone  incident  to  the  change 
from  brimstone  to  sunlight. 

One  day  Abigail  happened  to  remember 
the  schoolmaster's  parting  injunction.  It 
had  not  been  fully  lived  up  to.  True,  Hope 
had  said  her  praj^ers  every  night  and  morn- 
ing, but  had  given  little  time  to  meditation. 
Abigail  secretly  thought  that  meditation  was 
fitter  for  strong  men  than  for  tender  babes, 
but  deemed  it  best  to  consult  Master  Daven- 
port, lest  some  important  duty  be  left  un- 
done. She  rapped  on  the  study  door  and  was 
admitted. 

"What  is  it,  my  daughter?"  asked  the 
minister,  looking  up  from  his  writing. 

"If  }rou  please,  sir,  how  much  ought  a 
child  to  meditate  ?  " 

' '  Meditate  !     What  doth  thou  mean  ?' ' 

' '  Master  Marston  told  Hope  not  to  forget 
her  prayers  and  her  meditations,  and  I  fear 
she  doth." 

"  Doth  she  forget  to  pray  ?" 

"  Nay,  she   saith  her  prayers  every  day." 

"  At  night  doth  she  pray  for  forgiveness  of 


THE  REGICIDES.  211 

sin,  and  in  the  morning  for  strength  and 
guidance  ?" 

"  Alwaj^s,  and  with  me." 

' '  Then  keep  the  child  cheerful  and  happy, 
and  save  thy  hard  questions  for  wiser  heads 
than  mine."  And  with  a  peculiar  smile 
the  minister  resumed  his  writing. 

"Oh,  that  Hope  had  a  father  like  that !" 
said  Abigail  to  herself  as  she  closed  the  study 
door  and  softly  went  away. 

Marston  came  over  every  day  to  call,  and 
everybody  trembled  lest  he  should  take  Hope 
away.  He  noted  her  improved  health,  and 
attributed  it  entirely  to  her  living  in  a 
holy  atmosphere.  In  this  conclusion  he 
was  perhaps  right,  for  holy  living  may  mean 
a  cheerful  heart,  a  willing  mind,  and  a  thought- 
ful care  for  others.  But  that  was  not  just 
Marston's  definition.  He  was  quite  willing, 
however,  that  she  should  stay  a  week  longer. 

Master  Davenport  sat  in  his  study  day  after 
day  with  a  wrinkle  on  his  brow,  in  spite  of  all 
attempts  to  be  cheerful.  One  of  the  principal 
sources  of  his  anxiety  was  the  approaching 
election.  The  training-day  episode  had  for  a 
time  relieved  suspicion  concerning  Whalley 
and  Goffe.  They  were  now  staying  on  the 
mountain  during  the  day  and  sleeping  in  the 


212  THE  REGICIDES. 

mill  at  night.  Public  opinion  was  divided. 
Most  people  thought  they  really  came  from  the 
wild  country  to  the  north,  intending  to  give 
themselves  up,  but  changed  their  minds  and 
went  to  Manhattan  under  cover  of  night.  A 
few  thought  the  whole  thing  a  clever  ruse  to 
throw  the  public  off  the  scent.  Brockton  sat 
on  the  fence  and  could  not  make  up  his  mind 
which  way  to  jump. 

The  coming  election  meant  little  to  the  aver- 
age citizen,  but  it  meant  the  results  of  a  life's 
work  to  the  minister.  At  the  very  first  there 
had  been  but  one  party,  the  church  party. 
In  Davenport's  eyes  there  could  be  no  other 
ideal  community.  But  as  time  went  on  there 
was  opposition,  at  first  a  mere  protest  half 
uttered,  then  a  distinct  and  pronounced  ex- 
pression of  disaproval.  At  the  last  election 
there  had  been  a  struggle.  The  church  party 
was  met  by  the  young  men's  party,  and  while 
the  former  won,  it  could  not  be  gainsaid  that 
the  old  ways  must  sooner  or  later  give  way  to 
the  new.  The  young  men  were  not  necessa- 
rily irreligious  or  in  any  way  opposed  to  the 
church  itself.  Their  platform  proposed  a 
divorce  between  church  and  state  as  securing 
both  a  purer  church  and  a  stronger  state. 
Davenport,  schooled  in  the  old  ways,  saw  in 


THE  REGICIDES.  213 

the  new  movement  the  final  doom  of  his 
fondest  hopes.  He  saw  no  reason  why  men 
could  not  be  sincere  and  honest  of  their  own 
choice,  and  as  practical  inside  the  church  as 
out.  The  church  was  to  him  a  training 
school  for  heaven.  What  better  school  for 
the  training  of  wise  governors  and  magis- 
trates, he  would  argue.  But  a  large  and 
growing  party  held  otherwise.  Much  as  they 
loved  and  revered  the  minister,  they  deemed 
his  plan  the  Utopian  scheme  of  a  student, 
and  were  firmly  determined  to  resist  it. 

Deputy-Governor  Leete  was  of  the  young 
men's  party,  and  had  been  asked  to  stand  for 
governor  at  the  coming  election.  He  was 
wise, 'learned,  pious,  honest  and  industrious 
in  the  discharge  of  duty,  and  in  him  the 
young  men  saw  their  hope. 

There  was  much  quiet  work  done  during 
the  few  weeks  preceding  the  election.  Horse- 
men stopped  and  discussed  the  situation  in 
the  highway.  The  taverns  were  alive  with 
politics.  Even  at  the  intermission  on  Sun- 
day an  effective  word  was  now  and  then 
spoken,  while  at  the  firesides  in  town  and 
country  it  was  the  principal  topic  of  conver- 
sation. 


214  THE  REGICIDES. 

When  at  last  the  decisive  day  came  there 
was  not  a  sign  of  dissension.  It  was  more 
like  a  holiday  than  one  that  was  to  decide 
the  policy  of  a  government.  The  men  from 
the  neighboring  towns  brought  their  wives 
on  the  high  pillions,  and  the  female  portion 
of  the  population  devoted  itself  to  trading 
and  visiting.  The  younger  members  found 
the  occasion  available  for  cousining,  and  get- 
ting up  an  appetite  for  the  election  cake, 
which  was  always  sure  to  be  agreeable  in 
flavor  and  inexhaustible  in  quantity.  The 
young  men  indulged  in  various  kinds  of 
manly  sport,  backsword,  fencing,  running, 
wrestling  and  quoits  being  among  the  favorite 
games. 

In  the  forenoon  the  election  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  Reverend  Abraham  Pierson. 
Then  followed  the  collation,  when  everybody 
ate  election  cake  to  his  palate's  content,  and 
moistened  the  disappearing  morsels  with 
home-brewed  ale. 

The  result  was  hardly  unexpected  to  the 
minister,  though  its  announcement  was  the 
severest  blow  he  had  received  for  many  a 
day.  When  young  John  Davenport  came 
home  after  the  court,  his  father  read  the  ill 
news  on  his  face. 


THE  REGICIDES.  215 

"  Say  it,  my  son  ;  let  the  bitter  truth  be 
known ! ' ' 

"I  would  that  I  need  not,  father.  William 
I^eete  hath  been  elected  governor,  and  Mat- 
thew Gilbert  deputy-governor." 

There  were  some  compensating  features, 
however,,  in  the  result  of  the  election.  Mat- 
thew Gilbert,  a  pillar  of  the  church  and  a 
staunch  member  of  the  church  party,  had 
been  elected  deputy- governor,  and  John  Dav- 
enport, junior,  was  now  a  judge.  In  this 
there  was  a  crunib  of  comfort. 

Master  Davenport  sat  in  his  study  and  care- 
fully examined  his  own  motives.  He  was 
sure  he  had  never  wished  to  rule.  He  only 
wanted  to  see  things  go  right,  that  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  might  come  right  on  the  very 
plain  where  the  Puritan  town  was  built.  It 
would  never  be  now,  he  sighed.  He  had 
labored  unceasingly,  only  to  find  the  men  on 
whom  he  counted  mere  men  when  he  would 
have  made  them  saints. 

Sad  indeed  is  it  to  look  back  in  old  age 
and  find  life's  plans  and  labors  gone  astray. 
So  thought  the  minister,  yet  he  did  not  com- 
plain. ' '  I  had  hoped  to  be  an  humble  in- 
strument in  His  hands  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  great  things,  but  let  His  will  be 


216  THE  REGICIDES. 

done  !  "  lie  said  aloud,  while  great  beads  of 
perspiration  stood  out  upon  his  forehead. 

The  minister  had  builded  better  than  he 
knew. 


XXI. 

One  bright  May  morning  Master  Jones' 
miller  sent  the  mill  boy  in  on  horseback. 
The  boy  was  excited  and  rode  fast.  He 
reined  his  panting  horse  up  to  the  block  in 
front  of  the  mansion,  and  without  waiting 
to  tie  him  ran  to  the  door  and  lifted  the 
knocker.  A  servant  came  and  said  the  mas- 
ter was  at  breakfast. 

' '  There  be  robbers  at  the  mill !  ' '  gasped 
the  boj'. 

' '  Robbers  !  ' '  echoed  the  servant,  and  dis- 
appeared at  once  to  call  the  master. 

"Well,"  said  Master  Jones  as  "soon  as 
he  reached  the  hall,  "what's  the  trouble? 
Speak  out.  " 

"Oh,  sir,  there  be  a  world  of  it!  Two 
mornings  ago  my  father  found  tracks  close 
by  the  nether  millstone,  made  by  some  large 
man's  boot.  There  was  mud  left  like  the 
same  on  the  mounting,  and  it  had  rained  the 


THE  REGICIDES.  217 

night  before.  Came  we  last  night  and 
watched  until  near  the  hour  of  midnight, 
when  two  tall  men  wrapped  in  big  cloaks 
stole  in,  and  laid  down  to  sleep  on  a  pile  of 
empty  bags,  and — " 

"  Stop  right  there.     Took  they  anything?" 

'  'Alack,  I  know  not.  Crept  we  out  and  ran 
way,  so  scared  were  we.  But  surely  they 
been  robbers.  " 

"  Robber  fools  !  " 

"  Mayhap  they  be  fools,  but  my  father  said 
they  were  a-spyin'  out,  and  to-night  would 
carry  off  all  the  grain  unless  the  soldiers  came 
with  their  guns.  " 

"  lyook  thee  here,  lad.  Jump  on  thy  horse 
and  gallop  back  to  thy  father.  Tell  him  to 
say  naught  of  this  until  I  see  him.  I  will 
be  at  the  mill  in  an  hour. ' ' 

"Master  Jones  acteth  queer,"  said  the 
mill  boy  to  himself  as  he  rode  back.  "He 
seemethto  think  they  be  fools.  " 

The  first  thing  Master  Jones  did  after  finish- 
ing his  breakfast  was  to  order  a  horse  and 
start  for  the  farms,  two  miles  beyond  the  mill. 
He  stopped  on  the  way  and  told  the  miller  to 
keep  his  discovery  to  himself. 

1 '  But  they  will  surely  come  back  this 
night,"  said  the  man  of  flour.  "They  be 


218  THE  REGICIDES. 

large  men  ;  it  will  take  soldiers  from  three  or 
fourhousen  to  cope  with  'en)." 

' '  Fear  not.  Curb  thy  tongue  and  all  will 
be  well." 

After  leaving  the  mill  Jones  rode  around  by 
the  base  of  the  great  cliff  that  loomed  nearly 
four  hundred  feet  sheer  above  the  road.  It 
was  a  strange  formation.  The  Green  Mountain 
range  ended  abruptly  there  in  a  precipice  of 
trap  rock  within  a  mile  of  Long  Island  Sound. 
It  seemed  like  the  veritable  jumping-off 
place. 

"They  will  be  safe  on  the  mountain," 
muttered  Jones  to  himself,  "  only  find  them  a 
place  to  sleep." 

He  rode  along  by  the  side  of  West  River, 
that  flowed  at  the  base  of  the  great  rock,  until 
he  came  to  a  gap  in  the  mountain.  There  he 
stopped  to  view  his  extensive  acres  that  lay 
before  him.  The  valley  was  covered  with  a 
carpet  of  green,  excepting  here  and  there  a 
plowed  field,  for  the  farming  operations  had 
already  been  begun.  Across  the  plain  was 
Richard  Sperry's  house,  and  Jones  turned  his 
horse's  head  in  that  direction.  Sperry  had 
managed  the  farms  for  many  years,  and  there 
was  no  more  highly  respected  man  in  the 
colony.  Moreover  he  was  a  man  of  discretion, 


THE  REGICIDES.  219 

and  knew  when  to  talk  and  when  to  keep 
silent.  It  was  natural  that  he  should  be  con- 
sulted in  an  emergency  like  this. 

Sperry  was  at  work  in  a  field  near  the  house 
when  Jones  rode  up.  In  a  few  moments  the 
situation  was  made  plain. 

"  I  will  help  thee,"  said  Sperry,  heartily. 
"Do  thou  but  furnish  sufficient  provisions, 
and  leave  the  rest  to  me.  I  will  keep  the  men 
so  safely  hidden  that  no  emissary  of  England 
will  ever  find  them.  But  seems  it  not  strange, 
Master  Jones,  to  speak  thus  of  the  land  that 
gave  us  birth  ?" 

"  Ay,  yet  it  is  not  England,  but  the  hand- 
ful of  men  that  rule  her,  that  we  have  to  fear. 
Had  we  naught  but  the  true  sons  of  the  soil 
to  contend  with,  these  men  would  not  now  be 
hiding  for  their  lives  in  yonder  mountain." 

"  The  time  will  yet  come  for  better  things, 
and  God  speed  it.  Do  but  come  with  me  to 
the  woods  until  we  find  them  and  acquaint 
them  with  their  danger,  then  thou  mayest  go 
thy  way  and  tell  the  minister  to  take  no  care. 
I  will  protect  them." 

There  was  a  quality  in  Sperry 's  voice  that 
instantly  inspired  confidence,  and  Jones  felt 
that  the  charge  was  in  strong  and  faithful 
hands. 


220  THE  REGICIDES. 

* l  Thou  knowest  what  it  means  to  give  aid 
to  these  men?"  said  Jones,  as  they  walked 
across  the  valley  toward  the  mountain. 

Sperry  had  not  taken  the  step  without  con- 
sideration. His  reply  was  characteristic. 

"  It  means  the  discharge  of  a  sacred  duty, 
the  result  of  which  may  be  death  on  the  gal- 
lows!" 

They  climbed  up  through  the  gap  until 
they  stood  on  the  extreme  top  of  the  moun- 
tain. Then  Jones  realized  how  powerless 
even  they  were  to  find  the  hidden  men.  To 
the  north,  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  ex- 
tended miles  of  primeval  forest  that  no  white 
man  had  ever  penetrated.  There  the  law 
might  search  forever  and  never  find. 

"  But  the  Indians,  is  aught  to  be  feared  from 
them  ?  "  asked  Jones  suddenly,  as  his  eye  fell 
upon  a  handful  of  wigwams  across  on  the 
Amity  hills.  "  Thou  dost  know  them  better 
than  I." 

"  They  are  our  friends.  Never  hath  a  foot 
of  land  been  taken  from  them  except  by  law- 
ful purchase,  and  to  their  full  satisfaction.  In 
our  courts  they  have  always  received  justice. 
We  have  even  gone  further.  A  few  years 
ago  an  old  sagamore  of  that  very  tribe  com- 
plained to  the  town  that  a  herd  of  swine  had 


THE  REGICIDES.  221 

eaten  their  corn.  The  town  recommended 
them  to  fence  their  cornfield,  and  voted  to 
give  toward  it  three-score  days'  work  by  fit  and 
able  men,  the  same  to  be  paid  out  of  the  town 
treasury."  * 

' '  In  sooth,  that  was  rather  stretching  the 
needs  of  the  case.  I  fear  I  should  have  op- 
posed it,  had  I  been  there,  on  grounds  of  pub- 
lic economy." 

"  Not  so,  hadst  thou  known  the  whole  case. 
There  was  a  two -fold  object  in  view;  one  to 
do  a  deed  of  kindness,  and  another  to  bind 
them  more  firmly  to  us,  for  it  was  at  a  time 
when  an  effort  was  being  made  to  stir  up 
strife  against  us." 

"  And  did  the  red  gentlemen  appreciate  thy 
generosity?" 

"  Ay,  they  are  ever  our  firm  friends.  An 
Indian  never  forgets  a  kindness  or  an  injury. ' ' 

' '  I  would  have  feared  to  set  such  a  prece- 
dent." 

' '  Ofttimes  too  freely  giving  encourages  too 
ready  asking." 

"That  was  just  our  case,"  said  Sperry, 
laughing.  "  In  a  little  while  the  sagamore 
sent  word  that  he  was  old  and  poor,  and  could 
not  work ;  could  not  the  town  give  him  a 
coat?" 


*  Colonial  Records. 


222  THE  REGICIDES. 

' '  The  which  modest  request  was  of  course 
granted  ? ' ' 

"Granted  without  hesitation.  The  coat 
was  given  him  at  the  town's  charge,  but  he 
thereupon  became  satisfied  and  made  no  fur- 
ther requests.  "  * 

Both  laughed  heartily  over  the  incident, 
and  then  began  to  wonder  how  they  could 
find  the  two  generals. 

' '  It  was  agreed  between  us  that  should  we 
wish  to  communicate  with  them  we  should 
come  here  and  imitate  the  whip-poor-will's 
call,"  said  Jones,  "  but  that  staggereth  me.  I 
could  as  easily  give  an  Indian  war-whoop  !  " 

Sperry  put  the  tips  of  his  thumb  and  forefin- 
ger between  his  teeth,  and  gave  a  call  that 
might  well  have  deceived  a  bird.  Jones 
started  in  surprise,  but  before  he  could  ex- 
press his  astonishment  the  answer  came  loud 
and  distinct,  as  though  uttered  but  a  few  rods 
away.  The  call  was  repeated,  and  the  reply 
came  like  an  echo. 

"  The  rocks  !  "  exclaimed  Sperry.  "  They 
are  almost  within  a  stone's  throw  of  us  !  " 

They  pressed  on  through  the  thick  under- 
brush until  they  came  to  a  pile  of  huge 
boulders  lying  on  the  extreme  top  of  the 


*  Colouial  Records. 


THE  REGICIDES.  223 

mountain.  Some  of  these  were  more  than 
twice  a  man's  height,  and  had  been  left  there 
ages  ago  when  the  great  glacier  was  working 
its  way  slowly  southward.  They  were  so 
completely  surrounded  by  stunted  oaks  as  to 
be  hardly  visible  a  dozen  yards  away.  As 
Jones  and  Sperry  neared  the  rocks  they  saw 
Goffe  standing  on  the  top  of  the  highest 
boulder.  At  their  approach  he  slid  rapidly  to 
the  ground  and  came  to  meet  them.  The 
appearance  of  a  stranger  by  the  side  of  Jones 
made  him  hesitate,  but  explanations  were  soon 
made.  Then  Goffe  greeted  Sperry  with  a 
warmth  and  sincerity  of  manner  that  was 
charming. 

"  Are  we  not  well  hidden  ?"  he  exclaimed, 
with  some  degree  of  enthusiasm,  as  he  led 
his  visitors  around  to  the  south  side  of  the 
rocks.  "  We  are  so  comfortable  that  we  have 
decided  to  spend  our  nights  here  instead  of 
running  the  risk  of  discovery  in  the  mill." 

' '  That  is  well, ' '  said  Jones.  ' '  The  miller 
hath  seen  you." 

Goffe  started. 

"  But  not  to  know  who  you  were.  He 
imagined  you  to  be  robbers,  but  it  will  not  be 
safe  to  remain  there." 


224  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Say  it  not  to  General  Whalley  ;  it  would 
unduly  agitate  him." 

Jones  looked  around  as  if  expecting  to  see 
Whalley  in  the  neighborhood. 

' '  He  hath  gone  to  the  edge  of  the  cliff  to 
keep  watch.  He  is  apprehensive  lest  we  be 
taken  here  unawares. ' ' 

The  hiding-place  of  the  two  generals  was 
unique.  There  was  a  space  several  feet 
square,  walled  on  three  sides,  but  open  at  the 
top.  The  floor  was  smooth  rock.  Poles  had 
been  laid  across  and  covered  with  green 
boughs,  completely  roofing  in  the  space  and 
making  a  room  large  enough  to  move  about 
in  comfortably.  As  it  faced  the  south,  the  sun 
shone  in  and  made  a  grateful  warmth.  There 
was  a  pile  of  hemlock  branches  in  one  corner 
that  had  been  brought  for  a  bed. 

' '  We  have  spent  most  of  our  time  about 
here  for  a  week,"  explained  Goffe,  "  and 
our  means  of  building  the  roof  were  most 
fortunate.  One  day  when  we  were  walk- 
ing over  the  mountain,  chance  brought  us 
to  this  place.  We  decided  at  once  to  make 
use  of  it,  but  could  do  nothing  for  the  want 
of  an  axe  wherewith  to  cut  poles.  We  dared 
not  go  into  the  town,  nor  to  thy  house,  and 
we  did  not  deem  it  prudent  to  leave  any  note 


THE  REGICIDES.  225 

in  the  basket  that  conveyed  our  provisions 
every  evening.  But  yesterday  as  we  were 
standing  near  the  edge  of  the  cliff,  a  little  back 
and  out  of  sight,  we  happened  to  look  down, 
and  lo  !  there  lay  on  the  ground  a  hatchet ! 
Some  one  had  lost  it.  Though  covered  with 
rust  and  quite  dull,  we  made  it  do  good  ser- 
vice, and  the  result  you  see."* 

"  An  admirable  fair  weather  abode,"  said 
Jones,  ' '  but  in  a  rain  storm  I  imagine  thy  roof 
would  leak." 

' '  Ay,  but  in  this  world  we  must  take  the 
bitter  with  the  sweet.  So  long  as  we  can 
preserve  our  lives  and  avoid  involving  our 
friends  in  trouble  we  shall  be  content.  " 

1 '  The  political  storm  will  soon  be  over,  I 
pray  ;  then  there  will  need  be  no  more  hiding. 
But  I  fear  for  thy  safety  even  here.  The 
miller  is  wrought  up  about  his  imagined  inva- 
sion by  robbers,  and  though  I  have  ordered 
him  to  hold  his  tongue,  I  do  not  feel  certain 
he  can  do  it.  An  unfortunate  blab  on  his  or 
the  boy's  part  might  set  the  constables  to 
scouring  the  mountain,  for  the  reward  is 
tempting." 

Goffe  was  not  a  man  given  to  despair,  but 
his  face  fell  perceptibly  at  this  depressing  an- 
nouncement. 


*  See  Appendix  II. 


226  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Whither,  whither,  whither?"  he  ex- 
claimed, clasping  his  hands  and  raising  them 
toward  heaven  as  if  for  support.  Then  with 
an  apology  for  his  temporary  loss  of  heart, 
he  began  to  talk  of  Whalley. 

"  This  terrible  suspense  is  killing  him.  He 
cannot  bear  it  as  I,  a  younger  man,  can.  He 
raves  in  his  sleep,  and  talks  about  the  hang- 
man, and  imagines  himself  being  hanged  and 
drawn  and  quartered.  Last  night  he  cried 
out  in  his  sleep  that  they  were  cutting  out 
his  heart,  as  they  did  poor  Harrison's,  and  I 
had  to  wake  him;  but  his  nerves  were  so 
wrought  up  that  he  dared  not  slumber  again 
for  fear  of  the  frightful  vision.  "  * 

• '  Horrible  !  ' '  said  Speny ,  with  a  shudder. 

"These  dreams  are  growing  upon  him. 
Hardly  a  night  passes  but  the  same  thing 
is  repeated.  This  is  aging  him  more  than 
a  dozen  campaigns.  But  hist,  here  he 
comes  !  " 

The  tall  form  of  Whalley  was  seen  slowly 
approaching,  then  to  stop  with  a  sudden  start. 
Goffe  hurried  to  him  as  a  mother  would  to  her 
child,  and  in  a  few  words  explained  the  pres- 
ence of  Jones  and  Sperry  as  a  friendly  visit. 
Whalley  came  forward  and  greeted  his  callers 


*  See  Appendix  I. 


THE  REGICIDES.  227 

with  all  the  grace  and  dignity  of  a  high-bred 
gentleman. 

"  Thou  art  welcome  to  Hatchet  Harbour," 
he  said,  with  a  wave  of  the  hand  toward  the 
rocks.  "Our  hospitality  lacketh  somewhat 
in  abundance,  but  we  can  showthee  a  drop  of 
good  liquor  and  a  biscuit  even  here." 

He  entered  the  "  harbour,"  and  in  a  min- 
ute reappeared  with  a  bottle  that  Jones  imme- 
diately recognized  as  one  he  had  put  in  the 
basket  a  few  days  before. 

After  a  prolonged  discussion  it  was  decided 
that  to  remain  for  more  than  a  day  or  two 
longer  in  their  present  quarters  would  be  dan- 
gerous in  the  extreme.  Whalley  was  for  leav- 
ing the  colony  at  once  and  seeking  an  asylum 
in  the  great  wilderness  to  the  west  of  Nieu 
Amsterdam.  Jones  argued  against  this,  main- 
taining that  the  only  way  to  live  thus  would 
be  to  join  a  tribe  of  Indians,  and  that  would 
render  them  so  conspicuous  that  their  dis- 
covery would  be  only  a  matter  of  time.  Goffe 
was  prepared  for  any  measure,  however  des- 
perate, that  did  not  involve  too  great  a  risk 
on  the  part  of  their  devoted  friends. 

' '  To  my  mind  there  is  but  one  prudent 
thing  to  do,"  said  Sperry,  when  one  plan 
after  another  had  been  suggested,  "  and  that 


228  THE  REGICIDES. 

is  to  remain  right  here  The  general  opinion 
is  that  you  have  left  the  colony.  Many  saw 
you  go,  none  saw  you  return.  This  whole 
matter  will  blow  over  in  time,  then  you  can 
safely  go  whithersoever  you  will." 

"  But  we  have  just  decided  that  it  would 
not  be  prudent  to  stay  here,"  reminded  Jones, 
with  a  keen  glance  at  his  companion. 

"  I  mean,  of  course,  in  this  neighborhood," 
said  Sperry.  ' '  This  mountain  mayhap  will 
be  searched  for  the  miller's  robbers,  but  I 
don't  think  it  will.  I^et  them  search  if  they 
want  to.  I  know  of  a  hole  in  the  side  of  the 
mountain  that  is  so  screened  by  bushes  that 
I  doubt  if  even  the  Indians  have  ever  seen  it. 
I  but  stumbled  on  it  by  accident  one  day. 
I,et  our  friends  hide  there,  and  they  can  defy 
all  the  powers  on  earth  to  find  them." 

' '  Is  the  place  large  enough  for  two  men  of 
our  size  ?  "  asked  Goffe. 

"  Nay,  but  it  can  soon  be  made  so.  It  is 
more  than  half  full  of  crumbled  rock  and 
other  rubbish  that  has  rolled  in  there.  In  two 
days'  time  I  can  make  it  fit  for  a  habitation." 

"  What  one  man  can  do  in  two  days,  two 
men  can  do  in  one  day,"  suggested  Jones, 
who  was  anxious  to  have  his  charges  beyond 
all  danger  as  soon  as  possible. 


THE  REGICIDES.  229 

"  Mayhap  thy  friend  the  miller  could  lend 
a  hand,"  replied  Sperry,  with  a  smile. 

"  Thou  art  right,  Sperry,  as  always.  Thou 
canst  keep  a  secret.  Call  no  babbler  to  help 
thee,  but  begin  at  once." 

That  night  and  the  next  the  fugitives  slept 
in  their  house  of  rocks  and  boughs.  By  the 
following  forenoon  Sperry  had  made  the  new 
abode  ready,  and  they  bade  farewell  to 
Hatchet  Harbour  to  seek  the  more  obscure 
retirement  of  the  cave.  Every  morning  for 
nearly  a  month  one  of  the  Sperry  boys  carried 
a  pail  of  provisions  to  the  mountain  and  laid  it 
on  a  certain  stump.  Every  night  at  dusk  he 
went  for  the  empty  pail.  He  was  told  that  he 
was  doing  all  this  for  some  workmen,  but  his 
curious  ears  listened  in  vain  for  the  sound  of 
an  axe  on  the  mountain,  and  a  human  face  he 
never  saw.* 


*  See  Appendix  J. 


230  THE  REGICIDES. 


XXII. 

When  the  lilacs  began  to  blossom  Abigail 
was  reminded  that  her  stay  at  New  Haven  was 
almost  over.  Though  she  loved  her  father 
and  brother  with  a  strong  and  abiding  affec- 
tion, yet  a  motherless  home  was  full  of 
gloomy  recollections  for  the  sensitive  girl. 
Her  father  was  a  studious  man,  deep  in  his 
meditations,  and  far  less  social  in  his  tenden- 
cies than  Master  Davenport.  Her  brother 
Abraham  was  a  recluse,  a  man  of  books,  full 
of  rare  scholarship,  and  fitter  for  a  professor's 
chair  in  the  old  world  than  a  Puritan  pulpit 
in  the  new.  A  distant  relative  was  acting  as 
housekeeper,  and  here  came  the  severest 
strain  of  all. 

Miss  Nancy  Pierson  was  slim,  prim,  precise, 
and  cold  as  a  refrigerated  skeleton.  The  ex- 
change of  the  motherly  and  sympathetic  Mis- 
tress Davenport  for  this  animated  icicle  caused 
many  a  tearful  regret  on  the  part  of  the  affec- 
tionate and  impulsive  Abigail,  but,  like  a 
true  daughter  of  a  sturdy  race,  she  bravely 
and  uncomplainingly  set  about  making  prep- 
arations for  departure. 

' '  Thou  wilt  come  to  see  us  often  during  the 
summer,"  said  Mistress  Davenport,  by  way  of 


THE  REGICIDES.  231 

encouragement,  when  the  final  morning  had 
arrived. 

"Ay,'  hope  so,"  was  all  Abigail  could 
say,  and  she  turned  and  ran  to  her  room,  lest 
she  give  way  to  her  emotions  before  the  mis- 
tress. 

She  went  over  to  bid  Goody  Bascombe 
good-bye,  then  to  see  Goodwife  Chapman 
whose  broken  bones  were  nearly  mended,  but 
whose  heart  seemed  shattered  at  the  prospect 
of  "Sunshine's"  departure.  She  then  crossed 
the  market-place  to  say  farewell  to  Hope 
Marston.  "  Poor  little  Hope  !  "  she  said  to 
herself,  and  then  forgot  her  own  sadness  in  the 
thought  of  how  lonesome  Hope  would  be 
-.vithout  her.  They  clung  together  until 
I»Iarston  came  into  the  room,  then  soberly  sat 
down  at  a  proper  distance  from  each  other 
and  put  aside  all  "  dalliance." 

"  I  will  try  to  be  cheerful,"  Hope  said,  in 
answer  to  Abigail's  repeated  in  junctions  to  be 
brave  and  strong.  "And  Martha  Malbon 
will  come  to  see  me.  Father  lets  her  come 
sometimes,  because  he  says  she  is  serious  and 
not  given  to  levity,  and  I  love  to  have  her 
come.  She  always  brings  me  flowers  and 
tells  me  how  much  she  loves  me  ;  but  when 


232  THE  REGICIDES. 

she  looks  so  sadly  into  my  eyes  and  asks  me 
to  pity  her,  I  have  to  run  away  and  cry." 

When  at  last  the  farewells  were  all  said, 
John  led  his  horse  around  to  the  front  door 
and  helped  Abigail  to  mount  the  pillion. 
Master  and  Mistress  Davenport  stood  in  the 
doorway  and  watched  them  ride  out  of  sight. 
Then  the  minister  heaved  a  deep  sigh  and 
went  to  his  study.  He  felt  that  a  bright  and 
cheerful  presence  had  left  his  fireside,  perhaps 
forever.  But  his  wife  had  a  woman's  eyes, 
and  foresaw  no  such  lengthy  separation. 

John  tried  to  keep  up  something  like  an 
animated  conversation  as  they  rode  along,  but 
the  effort  was  ineffectual.  He  felt  downcast, 
and  every  word  showed  plainly  that  it  was 
forced.  He  made  several  vain  attempts  to 
talk  about  the  flowers  that  skirted  the  road- 
side, the  birds,  and  a  solitary  ship  that  stood 
out  on  the  sound  ;  then  gave  it  up  and  lapsed 
into  silence. 

Eloquent  silence  !  There  are  times  when 
heart-throbs  tell  their  own  sweet  story,  and 
every  spoken. word  seems  a  profanation. 

Arrived  at  the  Branford  parsonage,  John 
dismounted  and  fastened  his  horse,  then 
helped  Abigail  to  the  ground.  The  poor 
girl  actually  dreaded  to  enter  her  own  home. 


THE  REGICIDES.  233 

• 

She  walked  slowly  in,  bade  John  be  seated  in 
the  sitting-room,  went  to  the  study  to  greet 
her  .  father,  then  forced  her  steps  to  the 
kitchen.  Miss  Nancy  was  busy  at  the  fire 
when  she  looked  up  and  saw  Abigail. 

"  So  you've  come  home,"  she  said  coldly, 
without  stopping  her  work. 

"Yes,"  said  Abigail.  And  the  home- 
coming of  the  daughter  of  the  house  was 
effected  without  further  demonstration. 

Master  Pierson  and  Abraham  came  to  see 
John  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  his  presence, 
and  were  very  hospitable.  John  accepted 
their  invitation  to  remain  to  dinner,  and 
really  became  quite  hilarious  in  an  attempt  to 
elicit  a  smile  from  the  solemn  face  of  Miss 
Nancy.  He  related  some  of  his  experiences 
as  a  judge,  to  the  great  amusement  of  the 
gentlemen,  but  the  spinster  seemed  all  the 
time  to  be  eyeing  Abigail,  as  though  wonder- 
ing how  she  would  ever  get  along  with  such 
an  impulsive  and  animated  creature. 

After  dinner  John  and  Abigail  strolled  out 
through  the  orchard,  young  but  already  rich 
in  apple  blossonis,  and  down  to  the  rocky 
shore  of  I,ong  Island  Sound.  They  dug  in 
the  sand,  and  gathered  shells,  and  ran  along 
the  beach,  like  two  children  at  play ;  and 


234  THE  REGICIDES. 

when  they  were  tired  of  this  they  sat  down  on 
the  rocks  and  gazed  out  over  the  water. 

' '  I  would  that  eternity  were  like  this !  ' ' 
said  Abjgail,  after  a  while. 

' '  Would  3Tou  not  tire  of  it  if  it  were  ?  I 
think  it  is  by  constrast  with  the  sterner  realities 
of  life  that  hours  like  these  are  so  keenly 
enjoyed." 

John  felt  called  upon  to  do  a  little  preach- 
ing, for  he  knew  that  Abigail  was  about  to 
undergo  a  severe  trial,  and  that  back  of  the 
brightness  of  that  perfect  afternoon  loomed 
a  great  domestic  thunder  cloud  that  was 
charged  and  surcharged  with  Miss  Naucyness. 
But  the  minute  the  words  were  uttered  he  saw 
his  mistake,  for  she  had  paid  the  highest  pos- 
sible compliment  to  his  companionship. 

"  Nay,  I  do  not  think  I  would  tire  of  it," 
replied  Abigail,  with  perfect  artlessness  ;  and 
John  blessed  her  for  not  picking  up  his  un- 
fortunate words. 

"  An  eternity  with  our  dearest  friends 
would  make  of  any  place  a  paradise,"  he 
hastened  to  say. 

An  advancing  wave  had  crept  steadily  up 
until  it  touched  the  rock  on  which  they  sat. 

"  We  must  go  higher  up  or  we  will  be 
caught, ' '  said  John,  and  taking  hold  of  hands 


THE  REGICIDES.  235 

they  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  bluff.  He  held 
her  hand  a  moment  longer  than  necessary, 
while  they  stood  looking  at  the  curling  wave. 
They  watched  the  wave  as  it  came  up  nearer 
and  nearer  to  where  they  stood,  and  finally 
started  on  a  long  walk  to  the  eastward,  where 
they  couM  overlook  the  group  of  islands  that 
lay  off  Stony  Creek.  They  had  walked  per- 
haps a  mile,  following  the  coast-line,  when 
they  came  out  upon  a  rather  bold  promontory 
pushing  out  into  the  waters  of  the  sound. 

Here  they  sat  down  at  the  foot  of  an  oak 
tree,  while  Abigail  counted  the  islands  that 
lay  spread  out  before  them, 

"  They  are  like  so  many  thimbles  sticking 
up  out  of  the  water,"  said  she,  after  she  had 
counted  several  score.  "  Why  not  call  them 
the  Thimble  Islands  ?" 

"  That  would  be  dangerous,"  replied  John, 
laughing.  "  They  might  come  out  of  the 
water  some  night  and  sew  down  the  eyelids  of 
the  mariners  when  they  were  asleep  in  the 
harbor." 

' '  The  long  legs  of  that  blue  heron  would 
make  good  needles,"  said  Abigail,  as  she 
watched  the  movements  of  a  great  bird  wrading 
among  the  sedges.  Occasionally  he  would 
hop  out  of  the  water  and  stand  for  a  time  on  a 


236  THE  KEGICIDES. 

rock,  then  take  to  wading  again  and  dart  his 
head  quickly  into  the  water.  He  finally  rose 
into  the  air  and  circled  over  the  spot  where 
they  were  sitting.  Abigail  followed  him  with 
her  eyes  until  he  was  directly  overhead,  when 
she  suddenly  uttered  a  piercing  shriek  and 
fell  backward  into  John's  arms.  She  could 
not  say  a  word,  but  pointed  up  into  the  tree 
under  which  they  sat.  John  looked  up  and 
saw  a  ghastly  human  skull  stuck  in  the  crotch 
between  the  two  main  branches.  Some  birds 
had  built  a  nest  in  it,  and  as  Abigail  screamed, 
one  of  them  flew  out  of  an  eye-socket  and 
away. 

"  That  is  the  head  of  old  Mononotto,"  said 
John,  blessing  the  sachem  for  bringing  Abi- 
gail so  close  to  him  even  for  an  instant.  "  It 
has  sat  there  grinning  these  twenty  years  or 
more,  and  has  long  ago  done  all  the  harm  it 
ever  can,  except,  perhaps,  to  scare  timid 
maidens." 

"  Why  did  you  not  tell  me  it  was  there  ?  " 
said  Abigail,  when  she  had  recovered  from  her 
fright,  ' '  then  I  should  have  been  less 
startled." 

"In  sooth  I  had  forgotten  all  about  it, 
though  I  have  often  seen  it.  He  was  a  wicked 
old  fellow,  was  Mononotto,  and  mayhap  he 


THE  REGICIDES.  237 

grins  to  think  liow  much  trouble  he  made. 
It  was  during  the  Pequct  war  that  he  and 
Uucas  had  a  little  disagreement  over  at  New 
London.  Sassacus,  the  father-in-law  of 
Uncas,  had  lost  the  confidence  of  his  tribes, 
and  with  some  seventy  or  eighty  of  his  per- 
sonal followers  left  the  scene  of  battle  and 
sought  the  wilderness  bordering  on  the  Hud- 
son. Uncas  remained  with  the  English  and 
fought  the  remaining  Pequots,  and  it  was 
while  pursuing  the  scattered  warriors  of 
Sassacus  along  the  coast  that  he  came  upon 
Mononotto  and  a  handful  of  followers  across 
yonder  little  bay.  These  attempted  to  escape 
by  swimming  to  this  point,  but  were  overtaken 
and  waylaid  as  they  landed.  Uncas  himself 
shot  Mononotto,  cut  off  his  head  and  placed 
it  in  the  crotch  of  this  tree.  The  point  has 
ever  since  been  known  as  Sachem's  Head." 

"  I  am  glad  those  terrible  times  are  gone," 
said  Abigail  shuddering. 

"They  came  and  went  before  our  time," 
returned  John.  "  The  very  spot  where  New 
Haven  stands  was  discovered  by  the  English 
while  on  that  march  of  extermination.  As 
they  approached  the  wooded  plain  they  saw 
smoke  of  a  camp-fire  rising  above  the  trees, 
and  at  first  thought  it  was  kindled  by  some  of 


238  THE  REGICIDES. 

the  fugitive  Pequots  ;  but  it  turned  out  to  be 
a  camp  of  friendly  Indians." 

The  long  summer  afternoon  slipped  quickly 
by  while  the  young  people  were  loo  deeply 
absorbed  in  each  other  to  note  its  flight.  The 
lengthening  shadows  finally  reminded  them 
that  the  happy  hours  were  almost  over. 
They  rose  from  the  foot  of  the  oak  and  left 
its  tragic  recollections  behind  as  they  strolled 
back  toward  the  village.  Never  had  a  day 
seemed  so  perfect  to  both.  They  talked 
little  as  they  walked,  and  seemed  entirely 
content  to  simply  be  together.  As  they 
passed  through  the  orchard  near  the  house, 
Abraham's  "seat  of  meditation "  attracted 
their  attention,  and  they  sat  down  to  rest. 
The  tree  overhead  was  a  perfect  bower  of 
sweet  blossoms,  and  in  and  about  it  the  bees 
were  droning  a  sleepy  tune.  They  sat  there 
and  watched  the  sun  sink  behind  the  mount- 
ain, then  John  rose  to  go. 

"This  has  been  the  happiest  day  of  my 
life,  "  said  he,  as  he  stood  under  the  apple 
tree.  "  When  will  there  be  such  another  ?  " 

' '  When  you  choose  to  come  again,  ' '  replied 
Abigail  demurely,  turning  her  eyes  away. 

He  pressed  her  hand  a  moment  before 
going  for  his  horse.  Miss  Nancy's  shrill 


THE  REGICIDES.  239 

voice  rasped  the  gentle  air  and  shattered  the 
fond  delusion  of  the  hour  that  earth  was  a 
garden  of  thornless  roses.  Miss  Nancy 
desired  assistance  in  the  kitchen,  and  said  so 
in  unmistakable  terms. 

Abigail  stood  by  the  gate  and  watched 
John  ride  away  into  the  deepening  twilight. 
Then  she  ran  to  her  room  and  threw  herself 
on  the  bed,  where  she  lay  sobbing  for  an 
hour,  utterly  heedless  of  Miss  Nancy's  calls. 


XXIII. 

Brockton,  had  he  been  born  in  Paris,  and 
schooled  from  early  life  as  a  detective,  might 
have  achieved  distinction.  He  had  the  feel- 
ing for  it.  He  was  by  nature  a  ferret.  Blood- 
less as  a  miser,  he  allowed  no  considerations 
of  humanity  to  thwart  his  schemes.  Since 
the  two  generals  had  swung  into  the  range  of 
his  mental  orbit  he  had  had  no  peace.  They 
had  roused  all  the  sleeping  power  that  was  in 
him,  and  that  was  no  mean  quantity.  They 
had  turned  the  village  constable  into  a  keen 
mathematical  philosopher.  From  the  night 
when  he  lay  under  the  minister's  lilac  bushes 
and  saw  the  two  muffled  figures  depart  from 


240  THE  REGICIDES. 

the  door  his  wits  had  never  slept.  He  was 
patient,  and  when  he  heard  the  story  of  the 
midnight  robbers  at  the  mill  he  felt  that  his 
patience  had  been  rewarded.  In  his  own 
mind  he  had  no  doubt  whatever  as  to  the 
identity  of  the  "  robbers."  He  was  now 
quite  sure  that  they  were  staying  somewhere 
on  the  mountain.  He  began  a  cautious  in- 
vestigation, and  found  occasion  to  have  busi- 
ness early  at  the  mill.  There  was  nothing  to 
be  learned  there,  however,  except  the  bare 
fact  that  the  mill  had  been  invaded  by  two 
unknown  men,  and  that  they  had  not  been 
seen  there  since.  He  made  an  errand  out  to 
the  farms  for  the  purpose  of  interviewing 
Richard  Sperry,  but  he  might  as  well  have 
consulted  the  Sphinx.  Sperry  talked  all 
around  the  subject,  took  a  pull  or  two  at 
Brockton  without  being  suspected,  and  the 
constable  went  away  feeling  that  he  had 
really  found  somebody  who  sympathized  with 
him  and  would  like  nothing  better  than  a 
chance  to  help  him.  So  firm  was  he  in  this 
impression  that  he  finally  turned  back  deter- 
mined to  make  a  confidant  of  Sperry.  He 
thought  better  of  his  resolution  before  he 
reached  the  house,  and  returned  to  Guilford 
without  having  made  any  headway. 


THE  REGICIDES.  241 

But  Sperry  lost  no  time  in  putting  the  two 
generals  on  their  guard.  He  also  notified 
Jones,  and  Jones  in  turn  sent  word  to  Jona- 
than Meigs  over  at  Guilford  to  have  a  sharp 
eye  on  Brockton  and  his  movements.  This 
was  not  so  easy  as  it  might  have  been,  for 
Brockton  managed  to  have  a  great  deal  of 
business  in  New  Haven,  and  it  was  difficult 
to  keep  track  of  him  without  exciting  suspi- 
cion. He  questioned  everybody  in  a  round- 
about way.  There  were,  indeed,  many  who 
suspected  that  the  generals  were  really  some- 
where in  the  neighborhood.  Most  people 
thought  they  had  left  the  colony  not  to 
return.  So  there  was  nothing  for  Brockton 
to  do  but  go  to  the  mountain  and  watch  for 
signs.  He  stuck  close  to  the  miller  in  the 
hope  that  some  rainy  night  his  vigilance 
would  be  rewarded.  He  watched  a  month, 
and  at  the  end  of  that  time  became  convinced 
that  the  fugitives  had  in  truth  left  the  colony. 
He  went  home  and  kept  up  his  thinking.  • 

One  day  the  thought  occurred  to  him  to  go 
to  Amity,*  the  town  to  the  northwest  of  New 
Haven,  and  the  other  side  of  the  mountain, 
and  visit  the  Indians.  They  must  hunt  more 
or  less  on  the  mountain,  he  reasoned,  and 
might  discover  something  of  value. 

*  Woodbridge. 


242  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  old  sagamore  sat  in  front  of  his  wig- 
wam smoking  when  Brockton  arrived. 

"  The  pale  face  brothers  are  the  red  man's 
friends,"  was  the  old  man's  reply  to  Brock- 
ton's question.  "When  our  enemies  would 
wipe  us  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  they  help 
us.  When  we  are  naked,  they  give  us 
clothes,  and  a  hungry  Indian  is  never  turned 
from  their  door.  When  a  white  man  cheats 
us,  their  wise  men  hear  our  cause  and  do 
justice.  The  Big  Stud}'  Man*  teaches  our 
children  wisdom  and  goodness,  and  we  love 
him.  Shall  we  forget  the  traditions  of  our 
fathers,  and  do  evil  to  those  who  befriend  us 
in  our  time  of  need?  The  white  man's 
friends  are  our  friends.  The  men  who  would 
carry  them  across  the  great  water  and  kill 
them  are  our  enemies.  Where  the  white 
strangers  hide  I  know  not,  but  did  I  know  I 
would  fight  a  hundred  men  single  handed  be- 
fore I  would  betray  them  !  " 

The  old  sagamore  spoke  with  no  sign  of 
emotion,  but  there  was  a  quality  in  his  voice 
that  showed  the  futility  of  further  argument. 

Brockton's  best  resource  was  himself.  He 
retraced  his  steps  down  the  main  path  that 
led  back  to  the  farms,  and  stopped  to  make  a 

*  The  name  given  by  the  Indians  to  Mr.  Davenport. 


THE  REGICIDES.  243 

call  on  Richard  Sperry.  But  Sperry  had 
gone  to  the  mill  with  some  corn  and  would 
not  return  until  night. 

"I  will  cross  over  the  mountain,"  said 
Brockton  to  himself,  ' '  and  perchance  I  will 
find  Sperry  and  the  miller  together." 

So  he  made  a  short  cut  of  the  meadows  and 
climbed  the  great  gap  in  the  mountain. 
When  he  had  reached  the  top  he  looked 
about  for  a  tree  to  use  as  a  lookout  that  he 
might  get  his  bearings  for  the  mill.  He  soon 
came  upon  a  pile  of  huge  boulders. 

"Just  the  thing!"  he  exclaimed,  as  he 
made  a  scramble  for  the  top.  "  Hulloa,  what 
is  this?  Who  would  take  the  trouble  to 
build  a  roof  like  this  over  a  gap  in  the  rocks? 
No  boys  around  here  except  Richard  Sperry's, 
and  they  live  too  far  away  to  play  on  this 
mountain." 

He  forgot  all  about  looking  for  the  mill, 
and  jumped  to  the  ground  for  a  closer  exam- 
ination. 

"  These  boughs  have  been  cut  within  a 
month.  Tender  leaves  on  'em.  No  boys 
could  have  done  this,  it  is  too  high.  I  can 
stand  up  in  it  without  hitting  the  roof.  Meat 
bones  lying  around,  too  !  And  here  is  an 


244  THE  REGICIDES. 

empty  bottle.     Let's  see  what  sort  of  a  smell 
it  has." 

Brockton  pulled  out  the  cork  and  held  the 
bottle  to  his  nose. 

"  Brandy  !  No  boy's  playhouse  this  !  " 
The  sudden  revelation  which  rushed 
through  Brockton's  mind  almost  overpowered 
him.  He  leaned  against  the  rock  for  support, 
and  glanced  about  at  the  sure  evidences  which 
lay  around  him. 

"  Gone  !"  he  gasped.  "Gone!" 
He  soon  recovered  his  equilibrium  and  sat 
down.  The  seeker  after  hidden  treasure  who 
is  at  last  rewarded  by  a  sight  of  an  empty  chest 
that  some  more  fortunate  rival  has  just  left, 
could  not  be  more  crushed  than  was  Brockton 
at  that  moment.  He  sat  for  half  an  hour 
scarcely  realizing  where  he  was.  Then  he 
looked  about  and  saw  the  bones  and  the 
bottle,  and  the  boughs  lying  on  the  dry  poles, 
and  he  knew  that  it  was  no  dream.  The  men 
on  whose  track  he  had  hunted  for  months 
had  been  staying  right  there,  and  might  have 
left  not  a  week  since  ! 

He  finally  found  strength  enough  to  drag 
himself  down  the  mountain  side,  but  he  kept 
clear  of  the  mill.  Whatever  flaws  there  may 
have  been  in  Brockton's  composition,  a  loose 


THE  REGICIDES.  245 

tongue  was  not  of  them.  He  knew  that  wise 
men  kept  their  own  counsel.  He  made  his 
way  back  to  New  Haven,  where  his  horse 
was  waiting,  and  the  setting  sun  shone  upon 
his  door-sill  at  Guilford  as  he  drew  rein  at  the 
familiar  place. 

That  night  Brockton  did  not  sleep  well. 
His  body  was  tired  with  the  labors  of  the  day, 
but  his  mind  was  as  restless  as  the  universe. 
And  this  was  the  burden  of  his  thoughts : 
Kellond  and  Kirke  each  had  received  a  farm 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Massachu- 
setts for  their  efforts  in  trying  to  capture  the 
fugitives ;  they  had  really  accomplished 
nothing  ;  what  might  be  Brockton's  reward 
if  he  should  succeed  where  others  had  failed  ? 
He  not  only  knew  that  the  men  had  recently 
been  on  the  mountain,  but  the  more  he 
thought  of  it  the  more  he  became  convinced 
that  they  were  still  in  that  vicinity. 

"  Two  and  two  always  make  four,"  he  said 
to  himself.  "Those  muffled  figures  going 
from  the  minister's  door  at  midnight  are  two, 
and  the  discovery  on  the  mountain  is  two: 
and  if  those  two  twos  don't  make  four,  then 
I'm  an  idiot!" 

Early  the  next  morning  Brockton  started 
for  Boston  on  horseback. 


246  THE  REGICIDES. 


XXIV. 

The  minister  stood  in  his  dooryard  one 
morning  surveying  a  newly  planted  pear  tree, 
when  Governor  Leete  rode  up.  The  two 
men  had  not  met  since  the  election,  and  each 
would  have  preferred  not  to  meet  the  other. 
Nevertheless,  the  governor  reined  his  horse 
up  to  the  minister's  step  and  dismounted. 
The  minister  came  forward  to  meet  him. 

"  Good  morrow,  Governor  Leete." 

"  Good  morrow,  Master  Davenport." 

The  minister  did  not  extend  his  hand  as 
usual,  and  the  governor  made  no  advances. 

' '  I  have  a  letter  that  I  wish  to  bring  to  thy 
attention,"  said  the  governor,  after  waiting 
until  the  pause  began  to  grow  embarrassing. 

"Come  into  the  study,  where  we  can  sit 
down,"  replied  the  minister. 

He  walked  in  the  open  door,  his  visitor  fol- 
lowing, until  they  came  to  the  study,  when 
the  minister  stood  at  one  side  and  motioned 
the  governor  to  enter. 

"It  hath  just  come  by  carrier  from  Bos- 
ton," said  Governor  L,eete,  when  they  were 
seated,  "  and  it  so  deeply  concemeth  the  wel- 
fare of  this  colony,  and  some  individuals  in 


777^  REGICIDES.  247 

particular,  that  I  deemed  it  best  to  bring  it 
to  thy  notice." 

' '  May  I  inquire  to  whose  epistle  I  am  to 
have  the  honor  of  listening?"  inquired  the 
minister,  as  Governor  L,eete  began  to  adjust 
his  glasses. 

"  It  is  from  the  Honorable  Edward  Raw- 
son,  Secretary  of  the  Council  of  Massachu- 
setts. It  is  a  long  letter,  and  parts  of  it  were 
written  at  different  times  before  sending.  It 
appears,  Master  Davenport,  that  our  position 
on  certain  public  questions  hath,  perhaps, 
been  ill  considered.  Our  long  neglect  to 
acknowledge  his  Majesty  King  Charles  the 
Second  hath  been  a  cause  of  complaint 
against  us,  as  though  our  loyalty  were  sus- 
pected." 

' '  I  have  always  been  in  favor  of  making  a 
proper  acknowledgment  of  allegiance,"  re- 
plied the  minister,  "  and  have  so  stated  at 
divers  times  and  places.  Such  an  act  is  a 
political  necessity,  no  matter  what  our  private 
preferences  may  be." 

"It  shall  be  attended  to,  and  at  once," 
said  Governor  L,eete,  taking  off  his  spectacles 
and  wiping  them  carefully.  "Then  after 
reminding  us  of  our  neglect  in  this  matter, 
the  secretary  proceeds  to  refer  to  another 


248  THE  REGICIDES. 

subject,  and  one  that  just  now  seems  to  be  of 
deep  concern.  The  letter  will  explain  itself. 
Is  it  thy  pleasure  that  I  read  ?  ' ' 

"  I  would  be  pleased  to  hear  it,  if  you  will 
oblige." 

"  This  part  was  written  on  the  4th  of  July, 
and  with  thy  permission  I  will  omit  so  much 
as  refers  to  our  allegiance.  Skipping  that, 
the  letter  continues  : 

'  Further  I  am  required  to  signify  to  you  as  from 
them  that  the  non  attendance  with  dilligence  to 
execute  the  king's  majesty's  warrants  for  the  appre- 
hending of  Colonell  Whalley  and  Goffe  will  much 
hazard  the  present  state  of  these  colonies,  and  your 
owne  particularly,  if  not  some  of  your  persons, 
which  is  not  a  little  afflictive  to  them.  And  that  in 
their  understanding  there  reniaines  no  way  to  ex- 
piate the  offence  and  preserve  yourselves  from  the 
danger  and  hazard  but  by  apprehending  the  said 
persons,  who,  as  wee  are  informed,  are  yett  remain- 
ing in  the  colony,  and  not  above  a  fortnight  since, 
were  seen  there,  all  which  will  be  against  you.  Sir, 
your  owne  welfare,  the  welfare  of  your  neighbours, 
bespeake  your  unwearied  paines  to  free  yourselfe 
and  neighbours.  I  shall  not  add,  having  so  lately, 
by  a  few  lines  from  our  governor  and  myselfe  look- 
ing much  this  way,  communicated  our  sence  and 
thoughts  of  your  and  our  troubles,  and  have  as  yett 
received  no  return,  but  commend  you  to  God  and 
Kis  rich  grace  for  your  guidance  and  direction  in  a 
matter  of  such  moment,  as  his  Majesty  may  receave 


THE  REGICIDES.  249 

full  and  just  sattisfaction,  the  mouths  of  all  oppos- 
ers  stopped,  and  the  profession  of  the  truth  that  is 
in  you  and  us  may  not  in  the  least  suffer  by  your 
actings  is  the  prayer  of 

Sir,  your  loving  friend, 

EDWARD  RAWSON,  Secretary. 
In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Couucill.'  " 


"Then  on  the  isth  day  of  July  he  added 
this  postscript  : 

'  Sir  —  Since  what  I  wrote,  news  and  certaine  in- 
telligence is  come  hither  of  the  two-  colonells  being 
at  New  Haven  from  Saturday  to  Monday,  and  pub- 
lickly  knowne,  and,  however  it  is  given  out  that 
they  came  to  surrender  themselves,  and  pretended 
by  Mr.  Gilbert  that  he  looked  when  they  would 
have  come  in  and  delivered  up  themselves,  never 
setting  a  guard  about  the  house  nor  endeavoring  to 
secure  them,  but,  when  it  was  too  late,  to  send  to 
Totocut,  etc.  Sir,  how  this  will  be  taken  is  not  dif- 
ficult to  imagine,  to  be  sure  not  well  ;  nay,  will  not 
all  men  condemn  you  as  wanting  to  yourselves,  and 
that  you  have  something  to  rely  on,  that  you  hope, 
at  least,  will  answer  your  ends  ?  I  am  not  willing 
to  meddle  with  your  hopes,  but  if  it  be  a  duty  to 
obey  such  lawful  warrants,  as  I  believe  it  is,  the 
neglect  thereof  will  prove  uncomfortable.  Pardon 
me,  sir,  it  is  my  desire  that  you  may  regaine  your 
peace  (and  if  you  please  to  give  mee  notice  when 
you  will  send  the  two  colonells)  tho'  Mr.  Wood 
Greene  is  bound  hence  within  a  month,  yet  if  you 
shall  give  me  assurance  of  theire  coming  I  shall 


250  THE  REGICIDES. 

not  only  endeavor,  but  doe  hereby  engage,  to  cause 
his  stay  a  fortnight,  nay  three  weeks,  rather  than 
they  should  not  be  sent,  expecting  your  answer, 
remaine, 

Sir,  your  assured  loving  friend  and  servant, 

EDWARD  RAWSON.'  " 

' '  Is  there  nothing  more  ?  ' '  inquired  the 
minister,  when  the  reading  was  finished. 

"  Nothing,"  replied  the  governor,  passing 
the  letter  across  the  table. 

' '  I  have  been  looking  for  this  for  some 
time,  and  my  only  surprise  is  at  its  mildness 
of  tone,"  said  Master  Davenport,  laying  the 
letter  down. 

"  I  do  not  understand  you,  Master  Daven- 
port." 

"  Since  the  departure  for  Boston  of  a  neigh- 
bor of  thine  some  time  ago,  I  have  been  ex- 
pecting rather  more  than  this.  The  letter  that 
thou  hast  just  read  is  doubtless  a  gentle  fore- 
runner of  what  is  to  follow." 

"  I  am  still  in  the  dark,  sir." 

"There  are  many  things  hidden  from  the 
wise  that  are  made  plain  to  the  simple.  I 
presume  Daniel  Brockton  is  favoring  Guilford 
with  his  presence  nowadays?  " 

"  I  have  not  seen  Brockton  in  a  month.  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  251 

"Certainly  not,  unless  them  hast  been  in 
Boston.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  a  part  of  this 
letter  was  written  at  about  the  time  he  would 
arrive  there." 

The  governor  paled  visibly  at  this  announce- 
ment. Certain  things  were  suddenly  made 
very  plain  to  him.  He  had  really  been 
a  good  deal  puzzled  of  late,  and  he,  the  keen 
man  of  the  world  and  astute  politician.did 
not  relish  being  instructed  in  temporal  matters 
by  the  minister. 

' '  Well,  what  is  to  be  done  about  it  ?  " 
asked  Master  Davenport,  as  the  governor  did 
not  speak. 

' '  There  is  but  one  thing  to  do  in  my  view 
of  the  matter,"  replied  Governor  L,eete. 
' '  Our  own  personal  safety  and  the  well  being 
of  the  colony  both  demand  that  these  men  be 
arrested  and  delivered  over  to  the  Council  of 
Massachusetts." 

"  I  note  the  order  in  which  you  state  the 
grounds  of  your  proposed  action,"  remarked 
the  minister  quietly,  and  with  a  shade  of 
sarcasm  in  his  voice.  "There  was  a  time, 
Governor  I,eete,  when  the  question  of  person- 
al safety  did  not  come  from  your  lips  in  con- 
nection with  the  discharge  of  duty." 

"There   was  a  time,    Master  Davenport, 


252  THE  REGICIDES. 

when  the  befriending  of  these  men  involved 
little  more  than  a  slight  hospitality  and  a 
grain  of  caution.  It  meant  simply  a  strict 
construction  of  a  faulty  warrant.  That  time 
is.  now  past.  The  matter  hath  gone  beyond 
our  control.  In  L,ondon  as  well  as  in  Massachu- 
setts we  are  regarded  as  being  in  open  de- 
fiance in  protecting  traitors  to  our  king,  whose 
authority  we  have  not  even  acknowledged. 
What  does  this  mean  ?  It  means  that  our 
colonial  affairs  are  at  this  moment  in  a  critical 
condition,  so  critical  that  a  word  from  Lon- 
don may  forever  blast  all  our  hopes  of  pros- 
perity here.  It  means  all  that  and  more.  It 
means  that  you  and  I  and  others  now  under 
suspicion  of  harboring  these  men  may  any  day 
be  placed  under  arrest  and  hurried  to  the  scaf- 
fold. The  contemplation  of  such  a  turn  of 
affairs  is  not  particularly  cheerful.  We  have 
families  whom  it  is  our  duty  to  protect.  Our 
first  duty  is  to  them  and  to  our  colony.  These 
men  are  naught  to  us  in  comparison.  If  we  ever 
were  under  any  moral  obligation  to  shield  them, 
that  obligation  hath  been  discharged  tenfold. 
We  have  already  done  more  for  them  than  in  all 
human  probability  they  would  have  done  for  us 
under  like  circumstances." 

The  clerical  wrath  had  been  steadily  rising 


THE  REGICIDES.  253 

during  the  governor's  remarks,  and  at  the 
utterance  of  the  last  sentence  it  came  to  a 
white  heat.  The  minister  rose  from  his  chair 
and  walked  excitedly  up  and  down  the  room, 
then  returned  and  stood  by  the  table  opposite 
Governor  Leete. 

' '  What  does  our  duty  to  our  family  and 
our  colony  mean  ? "  he  began  in  a  voice 
hoarse  with  emotion.  ' '  Does  it  mean  that  we 
shall  desert  the  fathers  of  our  liberties  at  the 
first  cry  of  alarm  ?  Shall  we  bow  down  and 
fawn  at  the  feet  of  a  jesting  tyrant  who  asks 
for  their  surrender  that  he  may  murder  them  ? 
Who  are  these' men,  and  what  have  they  done 
for  us  and  the  world  ?  Who  throttled  the  ty- 
rant that  was  robbing  England  of  her  priceless 
liberties  ?  Who  made  freedom  of  worship 
possible  where  oppression  and  despotism  had 
prevailed  ?  Who  swept  intolerance  and  big- 
otry from  the  land  at  one  stroke  ?  Who  de- 
stroyed the  Star  Chamber  Commission  with  all 
its  iniquities  ?  Who  made  every  man  in 
England  free  to  act  and  think  as  his  Maker 
intended  him  ?  Answer  me,  and  then  ask  if 
we  owe  these  men  nothing  !  They  have  laid 
their  very  lives  upon  the  altar  of  their  coun- 
try's devotion.  They  have  shown  the  world 
that  right,  not  might,  will  prevail  where  cour- 


254  THE  REGICIDES. 

age  nerves  the  arm  of  virtue.  Do  we  owe 
them  nothing  ?  Does  our  colony  owe  them 
nothing  ?  Do  you  as  chief  magistrate  of  this 
people  owe  them  nothing?  Answer  these 
questions  before  you  hand  these  instruments 
of  God's  providence  over  to  His  and  their 
enemies.  Pause  before  you  act,  lest  the  ven- 
geance of  heaven  be  upon  your  head  !  There 
are  traitors  to  earthly  kings,  but  woe  be  unto 
the  man  who  so  far  forgets  his  allegiance  to 
God  as  to  become  a  traitor  to  Him  !  " 

The  minister  took  another  turn  up  and 
down  the  room  when  he  had  finished,  and 
stopped  at  a  window  to  look  out,  lest  his  feel- 
ings might  lead  him  astray.  Governor  Leete 
sat  quite  composedly  and  toyed  with  Rawson's 
letter.  His  face  was  very  grave,  however. 
The  stand  he  had  taken  was  not  without  due 
consideration.  He  had  spent  many  days  and 
nights  in  trying  to  determine  what  was  his 
duty,  not  as  William  L,eete,  an  individual  of 
Puritan  principles,  but  as  chief  magistrate  of 
the  colony.  He  had  gone  to  great  lengths  in 
giving  protection  to  the  fugitives,  and  he  had 
been  criticised  by  some  of  the  more  cautious 
for  doing  so.  His  position  was  a  trying  one. 
A  mere  politician  would  have  surrendered  the 
two  generals  without  a  moment's  hesitation. 


THE  REGICIDES.  255 

Governor  I/eete  was  more  than  a  mere  politi- 
cian ;  he  was  a  high-minded  man  of  affairs, 
who  sought  to  be  right  rather  than  politic. 
He  waited  a  few  moments  before  speaking. 

"  Were  I  alone  concerned,  Master  Daven- 
port, "  he  said  at  length,  "I  would  have 
little  hesitation.  You  know  how  I  have  felt 
in  the  past,  and  what  with  God's  help  I  have 
been  able  to  do  for  these  men.  I  have  a  per- 
fect right  to  sacrifice  my  own  life  for  them  if 
thereby  a  greater  harm  is  not  done  to  others, 
but  the  moment  my  act  involves  the  welfare  of 
this  colony  that  trusts  my  wisdom  and  discre- 
tion for  the  conduct  of  its  secular  affairs, 
that  moment  I  am  no  longer  free  to  act  as  an 
individual,  but  must  consider  the  conse- 
quences to  them.  I  have  hoped  that  these 
men,  our  benefactors  and  the  benefactors  of 
all  mankind,  might  escape  the  fate  that  now 
awaits  them.  I  have  not  only  placed  myself 
in  a  position  of  great  personal  danger,  but 
have,  I  fear,  put  in  serious  jeopardy  the  pros- 
pects of  this  colony  by  so  doing.  I  am  con- 
vinced that  having  done  this  injury,  it  is  now 
my  duty  to  do  all  in  my  power  to  repair  it. ' ' 

Master  Davenport  turned  from  the  window 
with  a  smile  that  might  have  been  sarcastic 
if  another  had  worn  it. 


256  THE  REGICIDES. 

1 '  Dost  thou  believe  in  the  all-powerful  at- 
tributes of  God?" 

' '  I  have  never  doubted  His  wisdom  and 
power." 

"  And  dost  thou  believe  in  His  good- 
ness ? ' ' 

"I  do." 

"  Believing  in  His  power  and  goodness, 
dost  thou  think  He  will  forget  to  protect  His 
servants  in  doing  His  will  on  earth  ?  " 

"  There  is  wisdom  in  all  thou  sayest,"  said 
Governor  L,eete,  thoughtfully.  "It  is  hard 
to  know  God's  will  sometimes.  I  firmly  be- 
lieve, Master  Davenport,  that  it  was  the 
divine  will  that  we  should  come  here  and 
plant  this  colony  in  the  wilderness,  where  we 
might  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates 
of  our  own  hearts  and  found  a  state  upon  the 
enduring  rock  of  a  free  conscience.  We 
have  done  this  for  ourselves,  but  we  have 
done  it  to  a  far  greater  degree  for  posterity. 
Our  children  and  our  children's  children  to 
all  generations  will  reap  what  we  have 
sown.  I  believe  it  is  God's  will  that  this 
should  continue.  I  do  not  believe  that  one 
man's  life  nor  a  hundred  men's  lives  should 
stand  in  the  way  of  perpetuating  this  sacred 
trust!" 


THE  REGICIDES.  257 

The  minister  had  been  standing  by  t:  e 
window  during  the  governor's  talk.  He  no\v 
came  to  the  fireplace,  and  resting  one  arm 
upon  the  mantel,  looked  down  into  the  face 
of  his  old-time  friend. 

"  Thou  well  knowest,  Governor  I,eete,  for 
what  I  have  spent  the  best  years  of  my  life. 
Thou  knowest  the  hardships  and  the  trials 
that  have  been  endured  here,  and  for  what 
object.  It  has  been  the  dream  of  my  life  to 
be  of  some  service  in  bringing  about  God's 
kingdom  upon  the  earth.  I  hoped  to  come 
here,  where  the  foot  of  a  white  man  had 
never  trod,  where  the  villainy  and  corruption 
of  courts  had  never  contaminated  the  virgin 
soil,  and  plant  a  colony  whose  life  should  be 
the  perfect  exponent  of  Christ's  teachings, 
and  whose  laws  should  be  based  upon  Holy 
Writ.  In  a  community  like  that  Christ  could 
come  to  earth  again,  and  by  His  presence, 
His  words  and  His  example,  forever  redeem 
this  new  world  from  sin  and  destruction.  It 
has  been  the  dream  of  my  life  that  this  might 
be.  I  have  toiled  unceasingly  toward  that 
end.  It  has  been  my  belief  that  a  few  devout 
men  might  come  here  and  by  their  pious 
lives  give  to  posterity  a  priceless  heritage. 
No  one  realizes  better  than  I  that  the  plan 


258  THE  REGICIDES. 

has  failed  Men  are  the  same  here  as  they 
were  in  England,  pious  and  devotional  until 
a  question  of  self-interest  arises,  then  they 
throw  their  principles  to  the  dogs  and  hug 
their  consciences.  I  have  learned  that  a  little 
politics  will  strip  a  man  of  his  religion  as 
clean  as  a  sapling  after  a  hurricane.  I  have 
tried  to  make  men  what  they  should  be  in- 
stead of  taking  them  as  they  are.  Some  say 
that  in  this  I  have  made  a  mistake.  Was 
Christ,  whose  minister  I  am,  content  to  let 
matters  take  their  own  easy  course  ?  Was  it 
for  that  that  He  labored  and  taught  and  gave 
His  life  ?  Ah,  Governor  Leete,  it  is  not  for 
any  man  to  tell  me,  who  have  carried  the 
welfare  of  this  colony  next  my  heart  for 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  that  its  future 
should  be  well  guarded  !  " 

"  And  dost  thou  think,  Master  Davenport," 
asked  the  governor  mildly,  "that  the  inter- 
ests of  this  colony  will  be  best  conserved  by 
longer  defying  the  king's  express  com- 
mands ?  ' ' 

"  I  have  never  advocated  defying  the  king's 
express  commands  !  "  thundered  the  minister. 
"  Can  it  be  possible  that  by  this  time  my  posi- 
tion on  that  matter  is  misunderstood  ?  What 
are  the  king's  express  commands  ?  The  mag- 


THE  REGICIDES.  259 

istrates  of  '  The  Plantation  of  New  England  ' 
are  commanded  to  arrest  and  deliver  up  two 
certain  men.  Where  is  the  plantation  of 
New  England  ?  What  man  ever  heard  of 
such  a  place  ?  Could  you  find  it  if  you  had 
all  eternity  to  search  in  ?  But  suppose  he 
meant  to  address  his  warrant  to  j^ourself  as  a 
magistrate  of  this  colony,  have  you  not  done 
your  full  duty  as  a  loyal  subject  ?  Has  not  a 
search  been  ordered,  and  every  building  and 
cellar  in  the  jurisdiction  carefully  searched  ?  " 

"  But  since  that  time  the  men  have  been 
seen  publicly  in  the  streets.  They  are  sup- 
posed in  Massachusetts  and  in  lyondon  to  be 
living  in  our  midst  at  this  very  moment." 

"  Thanks  to  the  efforts  of  Daniel  Brock- 
ton." 

' '  More  than  that,  Master  Davenport.  You 
and  I  and  others  are  believed  to  be  concerned 
in  harboring  them,  and  our  position  is  such 
that  a  suspicion  against  us  involves  the  inter- 
ests of  the  whole  colony." 

The  minister  smiled  and  made  an  impatient 
gesture. 

"  Governor  L,eete,  idle  rumors  are  easily 
run  to  the  ground.  Prove  to  all  the  world 
that  you  know  nothing  whatever  of  the 


260  THE  REGICIDES. 

whereabouts  of  these  men.  Have  you  even 
a  suspicion  of  where  they  are  ?  ' ' 

"Not  the  least." 

"  Then  let  me  tell  you  something.  Were 
my  Maker  to  require  me  to  produce  them  this 
day  or  forfeit  my  immortal  soul,  I  could  not 
doit!  " 

The  governor  started  at  this  announcement, 
and  regarded  the  minister  with  a  fixed  look. 
He  had  come  here  with  the  intention  of  per- 
suading the  minister  if  possible  to  take  his 
view  of  the  case  and  deliver  up  the  fugitives. 
He  had  had  no  doubt  but  that  their  where- 
abouts were  well  known  to  Master  Davenport. 
At  first  he  was  inclined  to  think  the  parson 
was  a  little  technical  in  his  statement,  but  on 
reflection  he  knew  that  equivocation  from 
such  a  source  was,  to  say  the  least,  improba- 
ble. He  saw,  too,  that  having  failed  in  his 
mission,  there  was  no  use  in  prolonging  a 
discussion  that  had  proved  disagreeable  to 
both.  So  he  rose  to  take  his  departure. 

"I  deem  it  my  duty  to  say  to  you,  how- 
ever," he  said,  as  he  stood  in  the  doorway, 
"  that  in  the  discharge  of  my  obligations  as  I 
view  them,  I  shall  make  every  effort  to  arrest 
Generals  Whalley  and  Goffe  and  surrender 
them  to  the  proper  authorities." 


THE  REGICIDES.  261 

"  Then  all  I  can  say,"  replied  the  minister, 
"is  to  remind  you  that  those  who  have  made 
a  similar  attempt  in  the  past  have  met  with  ill 
success." 

When  Governor  lyeete  had  gone,  Master 
Davenport  went  over  to  see  William  Jones. 

"Don't  you  think,  Jones,"  he  said,  after 
detailing  his  interview  with  the  governor, 
* 4  that  in  certain  emergencies  I  ought  to  know 
the  exact  whereabouts  of  our  friends?" 

4 '  Should  that  emergency  arise  I  will  con- 
sider the  matter, ' '  replied  Jones,  with  a  humor- 
ous smile,  "  but  for  the  present  I  can  assure 
you  they  are  very  comfortably  disposed." 


XXV. 

We  are  seldom  judged  on  our  merits. 
People  will  persist  in  either  overestimating  or 
underestimating  us,  and  history  itself  often 
fails  to  rate  men  at  their  true  value.  Gover- 
nor Iveete's  change  of  base  was  held  by  some 
to  be  an  example  of  heroic  devotion  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  colony ;  others  charged  him  with 
being  a  moral  coward.  Posterity  draws  its 
own  conclusions,  and  fails  to  agree.  Be  the 
fact  as  it  may,  the  governor's  new  standard  of 


262  THE  REGICIDES. 

action  altered  the  whole  course  of  events,  so 
far  as  the  colony  was  concerned,  and  in  the 
end  caused  its  identity  to  be  swallowed  up  in 
that  of  another. 

"  Oh,  that  Cromwell  had  come  here,  as  he 
once  intended  !"  exclaimed  Master  Davenpoit 
in  after  years.  "  Then  New  Haven  Colony 
might  have  remained  true  to  the  memory  of 
her  founders." 

But  the  governor  must  not  be  too  hastily 
blamed.  On  most  political  questions  there 
are  two  sides  :  one  may  be  right  and  the  other 
wrong ;  yet  the  supporters  of  both  may  be 
honest  and  conscientious. 

John  had  frequent  occasion  to  visit  Guilford 
on  official  business,  and  while  he  deeply  S3rm- 
pathized  with  his  father's  views,  he  came  to 
see  that  Governor  I^eete  sincerely  believed  in 
the  soundness  of  his  own  position.  The 
more  he  thought  of  it  the  more  he  felt  con- 
vinced that  from  an  impartial  standpoint  the 
question  was  a  difficult  one  to  decide.  But 
his  thoughts  were  more  often  turned  in  the 
direction  of  a  certain  house  in  Branford 
where  dwelt  a  pair  of  bright  eyes,  and  a  voice 
whose  melody  sent  a  sweet  vibration  to  his 
heart.  .  He  never  passed  through  on  his  way 
to  Guilford  without  stopping  at  the  parson- 


THE  REGICIDES.  263 

age.  His  calls  were  ostensibly  upon  Abra- 
ham Pierson,  but  it  was  plain  that  he  found 
little  that  was  congenial  in  the  bookish  re- 
cluse. They  would  spend  a  little  while  to- 
gether in  the  study  of  the  young  minister, 
but  before  he  had  been  in  the  house  an  hour 
he  had  left  the  brother  to  his  books  and  for- 
gotten his  very  existence  in  the  charming 
society  of  Abigail.  Together  they  planted 
flowers  in  the  garden,  and  sought  the  fields 
for  wild  ones.  John  accompanied  her  on  er- 
rands of  mercy  among  the  poor  and  sick  of 
the  parish,  and  noted  how  dull  eyes  bright- 
ened and  hard  voices  became  softer  in  her 
presence.  He  wondered  how  he  could  ever 
exist  away  from  her,  and  whether  she  would 
.ever  deign  to  look  at  him  except  in  friend- 
ship. He  spent  hours  in  reviewing  her  every 
word  and  look  and  gesture,  to  try  if  he  could 
reduce  therefrom  a  grain  of  hope  ;  but  these 
reflections  always  made  her  seem  more  per- 
fect and  unapproachable.  As  a  result  he  lost 
his  appetite,  moped  about  the  house,  and 
knew  no  more  the  luxury  of  sound  sleep. 
He  became  so  absent-minded  that  one  day 
while  presiding  as  judge  he  sternly  ordered 
Goodman  Barnes'  horse  to  sit  in  the  stocks 
one  hour  as  a  punishment  for  running  away. 


264  THE  REGICIDES. 

Abigail  was  all  this  time  wondering  what 
could  be  the  matter  with  John.  ' '  He  used  to 
be  like  a  brother  to  me,"  she  would  say  to 
herself.  ' '  Now  he  looks  at  me  as  though  I 
were  some  strange  being,  and  then  sighs.  I 
fear  poor  John  is  ill." 

There  was  much  at  home,  however,  to  oc- 
cupy the  attention  of  the  young  judge.  The 
custom  was  still  in  vogue  of  visiting  the  full 
letter  of  the  law  upon  all  offenders,  and  in- 
formers were  never  wanting.  Civil  trials, 
too,  became  more  numerous  as  time  went  on, 
and  these  made  large  demands  upon  him. 
He  had  often  to  go  to  neighboring  towns  to 
sit  in  judgment  where  local  magistrates  pre- 
ferred not  to  act,  and  Mistress  Davenport 
noticed  that  he  manifested  a  perfect  willing-* 
ness  to  be  called  to  Guilford  and  Branford, 
while  he  sometimes  pleaded  pressing  engage- 
ments when  requested  to  go  in  other  direc- 
tions. 

He  was  so  much  occupied  with  matters  per- 
taining to  his  judicial  duties,  and  his  specula- 
tions as  to  whether  a  certain  maiden  were 
really  all  angel  or  partly  human,  that  he  some- 
times lost  track  of  current  events.  He  was 
completely  surprised  one  morning  as  he  passed 
down  the  street  to  see  a  crowd  collected  on  the 


THE  REGICIDES.  265 

market-place.  He  went  up  and  stood  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  company,  which  had  gathered 
in  front  of  the  meeting-house.  Suddenly 
there  was  a  roll  of  drums,  and  the  bespectacled 
clerk  mounted  the  topmost  step.  The  town 
crier  commanded  silence,  and  then,  raising  his 
voice  to  a  high  pitch,  the  clerk  read  the  follow- 
ing proclamation  : 

"Although  we  have  not  received  any  form  of 
proclamation  by  order  of  his  Majesty  or  Council 
of  State,  for  the  proclaiming  his  Majesty  in  this 
colony,  yet  the  Court,  taking  encouragement  from 
what  hath  been  in  the  rest  of  the  United  Col- 
onies, hath  thought  fit  to  declare  publicly  and 
proclaim  that  we  do  acknowledge  his  Royal  High- 
ness, Charles  the  Second,  King  of  England,  Scot- 
land, France,  and  Ireland,  to  be  our  sovereign 
Lord  and  King,  and  that  we  do  acknowledge 
ourselves  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony  to  be 
his  Majesty's  loyal  and  faithful  subjects. 

"GOD  SAVE  THE  KING!" 

A  few  years  before,  when  the  Commonwealth 
was  proclaimed  from  the  same  steps,  a  mighty 
shout  went  up  from  the  assembled  crowd. 
Now  there  was  a  deep  silence  when  the  clerk 
finished,  as  though  he  had  been  reading  the 


266  THE  REGICIDES. 

decree  of  final  doom.  This  was  broken  by  a 
single  utterance.  Old  Goodman  Brown,  fresh 
from  his  meditations,  raised  his  voice  and 
cried,  "  God  save  the  Commonweath  !"  but 
immediately  recanted  when  touched  upon  the 
shoulder  by  a  constable.  Goodman  was  ab- 
sent-minded, as  everybody  knew,  and  his 
treason  was  overlooked. 

Master  Davenport  was  not  present  when 
the  proclamation  was  read.  He  was  at  that 
moment  holding  a  session  at  the  parsonage 
with  Jones  and  Gilbert.  Master  Tompkins  of 
Milford,  who,  be  it  remembered,  helped 
Robert  Treat  upon  an  occasion  to  solve  a 
problem  of  expendiency,  was  also  there. 

"  There  is  no  time  to  be  lost,"  said  Master 
Davenport  in  answer  to  a  question  from  Gil- 
bert. ' '  The  Amity  Indians  have  discovered 
the  cave .  So  much  hath  been  learned,  though 
whether  the  information  hath  been  generally 
given  out  is  doubtful.  It  does  not  necessarily 
follow  that  the  cave  means  anything  more 
than  a  hunter's  retreat,  but  for  our  purposes 
it  is  not  safe  even  for  another  twenty-four 
hours."* 

"  Other  considerations  render  the  situation 
all  the  more  deplorable,"  said  Jones,  "  for  I 

*  See  Appendix  K. 


THE  REGICIDES.  267 

have  heard  this  morning  that  Mr.  Woodgreen 
hath  arrived  from  Boston  with  a  requisition, 
and  is  at  this  very  moment  at  the  house  of 
Governor  L,eete,  if  indeed,  he  be  not  on  the 
way  to  New  Haven  with  the  governor  and 
Brockton,  in  whose  company  he  arrived." 

At  this  announcement  the  minister  became 
so  agitated  that  he  rose  from  his  chair  and 
walked  up  and  down  the  room  several  times. 

"  lyeete  is  a  traitor  !  "  he  exclaimed  finally, 
unable  to  restrain  himself.  "He  hath  sold 
his  immortal  soul  for  a  few  paltry  years  of 
earthly — "  But  he  did  not  finish  the  sen- 
tence. With  a  great  effort  he  calmed  him- 
self and  apologized  for  his  heated  words. 

The  discussion  lasted  until  nearly  noon 
without  definite  result.  There  did  not  seem 
to  be  a  man  in  the  colony  who  could  be  im- 
plicitly trusted.  The  reward  that  had  been 
originally  offered  had  been  doubled  by  Gov- 
ernor I^eete,  and  was  now  so  tempting  that 
one's  nearest  neighbor  might  be  the  first  to 
give  information.  Sperry  had  volunteered  to 
find  another  cave,  but  that  would  take  time ; 
and  caves  would  no  longer  be  a  safe  hiding- 
place.  Were  the  generals  connected  with 
the  cave  on  West  Rock,  there  would  be  a 
thorough  search  all  over  the  colony  for  sim- 


268  THE  REGICIDES. 

ilar  hiding-places.  So  the  cave  question  was 
ruled  out.  Master  Davenport  offered  to  take 
the  men  into  his  own  house  and  trust  to  the 
consequences,  but  the  others  would  not  hear 
of  it.  Such  a  course  would  only  ruin  the 
minister,  and  would  be  of  no  real  service  to 
Whalley  and  Goffe. 

At  half -past  eleven  of  the  clock  Judge  Dav- 
enport came  in,  and  without  knowing  what 
was  under  discussion,  casualty  reported  that 
Governor  L,eete  and  a  stranger  had  just  ar- 
rived in  town  and  had  gone  to  the  tavern  for 
dinner. 

' '  The  governor  may  have  knowledge  of 
their  whereabouts,"  said  Jones,  getting  up. 
"Do  you  remain  here  and  contrive  what 
shall  be  done,  and  I  shall  get  the  generals 
out  of  the  cave  into  the  deep  woods.  I  will 
return  as  soon  as  may  be." 

Jones  went  to  his  barn  and  told  his  man  to 
saddle  a  horse.  While  this  was  being  done 
he  walked  down  by  the  tavern  to  reconnoiter. 
Governor  Leete  and  a  stranger  were  in  front 
of  the  stable  giving  some  directions  to  a  town 
officer,  but  Srockton  was  nowhere  to  be  seen. 
This  he  considered  significant.  Jones  returned 
to  his  own  house,  and  was  soon  on  his  way  to 
West  Rock.  He  held  his  horse  in  until  he 


THE  REGICIDES.  269 

was  well  out  of  the  village,  then  put  the 
spurs  and  struck  into  a  brisk  canter.  When 
he  arrived  at  the  base  of  the  great  rock  he 
looked  up  and  thought  he  saw  a  human  fig- 
ure standing  on  the  brink  looking  off  toward 
the  water.  He  rode  along  the  bank  of  the 
river  and  up  into  the  farming  district.  When 
he  came  in  sight  of  Sperry's  house  he 
thouglit  he  would  go  and  take  Sperry  with 
him,  but  he  changed  his  mind  when  he  re- 
flected that  Governor  Leete  might  have  some 
deeply  laid  scheme  to  carry  out.  He  knew 
the  governor  to  be  astute  and  inclined  to 
making  surprises,  and  concluded  that  the 
only  way  of  getting  the  two  generals  out  of 
danger  was  to  make  haste.  He  tied  his 
horse  at  the  foot  of  the  gap  and  climbed 
the  rest  of  the  way  on  foot.  He  thought 
he  knew  just  where  the  cave  was,  but 
spent  a  half  hour  in  a  vain  search  for  it. 
As  the  time  slipped  by  he  wished  he  had 
brought  Sperry,  but  congratulated  himself 
that  if  he  who  had  been  to  the  cave  had 
trouble  in  finding  it,  the  governor  and  his 
agents  would  stand  a  still  less  chance.  He 
was  smiling  to  himself  as  he  imagined  the 
governor's  discomfiture,  when  he  suddenly 
came  out  on  the  brink  of  the  precipice  and 


270  THE  REGICIDES. 

saw  a  small  company  of  perhaps  half  a  dozen 
men  moving  slowly  down  the  river.  This 
discovery  made  him  a  trifle  nervous,  he  could 
not  tell  why,  for  he  knew  the  governor  had 
not  had  time  to  make  a  trip  to  the  mountain 
and  accomplish  anything  since  he  left  him  at 
the  tavern.  It  was  with  an  unusual  energy, 
however,  that  he  struck  back  into  the  forest 
and  began  once  more  to  search  for  the  cave. 
He  soon  came  to  a  newly  trodden  path  that 
led  from  the  edge  of  the  rock  down  the 
mountain-side,  and  followed  it.  Almost  before 
he  realized  that  he  was  on  the  right  track 
he  came  to  a  thick  clump  of  bushes  that  he 
recognized  as  the  screen  that  hid  the  cave. 
He  listened  a  moment,  then  pressed  forward 
to  the  opening.  There  was  no  sound  to  be 
heard,  and  as  he  peered  into  the  dark  hole  he 
could  see  nothing.  There  was  a  sickening  sen- 
sation at  his  heart  as  he  climbed  down  and 
entered  the  cave.  After  standing  a  moment 
lie  could  see  quite  distinctly,  and  what 
he  saw  cau  ;ed  him  to  sink  down  on  a  stone 
and  cover  his  face  with  his  hands.  There 
was  no  human  being  there  but  himself,  and 
the  beds  and  cooking  utensils  were  strewn 
about  the  floor  in  confusion.  Near  the  open- 


THE  REGICIDES.  271 

ing  lay  an  old  hat  that  he  at  once  recognized 
as  Whalley's. 

In  the  meantime  the  interview  at  the  par- 
sonage was  proceeding  toward  a  successful 
development.  When  Totnpkins  saw  that 
everything  would  be  lost  unless  somebody 
entirely  outside  the  old  circle  stepped  into  the 
gap,  he  proposed  to  receive  the  two  men  into 
his  own  house  in  Milford  until  the  danger 
was  over. 

"  My  basement,"  he  said,  "  is  well  situated 
for  such  a  purpose.  I  will  house  them  there, 
though  it  is  little  better  than  a  common  cel- 
lar. I  will  place  a  pile  of  skins  in  one  corner 
where  they  can  sleep  o'  nights,  and  in  the 
day  time  the  room  will  look  like  a  farm- 
hand's quarters.  There  is  a  cupboard  in  the 
partition  that  nobody  would  ever  suspect. 
That  will  make  a  safe  retreat  in  case  of  a 
search." 

1 '  God  will  reward  thee,  Master  Tomp- 
kins,"  said  the  minister,  grasping  his  hand 
warmly.  "Thou  hast  saved  us  for  the  pres- 
ent. It  may  seem  to  thee  a  little  thing  to  do 
an  act  like  this,  but  in  so  doing  thou  mayest 
entertain  angels  unawares.  These  men  were 
once  great  and  powerful,  Master  Tompkins, 


272  THE  REGICIDES. 

and  in  God's  own  good  time  they  may  again 
be  brought  forth  to  lead  a  nation  to  liberty." 

"  My  risk  is  nothing  compared  with  thine," 
replied  Tompkins  modestly.  "Give  me  not 
too  much  credit.  My  cellar  is  the  last  place 
an  officer  would  think  of,  and  thou  canst 
warn  me  of  any  approaching  danger." 

The  minister  never  seemed  happier  or 
lighter  of  heart  than  at  this  gratifying  turn  of 
affairs.  He  spoke  of  the  dangers  that  had 
been  encountered  and  successfully  met,  and 
of  the  certain  defeat  of  Governor  L,eete's 
plans.  He  stepped  to  the  window  to  look  out 
at  the  beautiful  sunshine  that  was  flooding 
everything,  and  thought  how  much  more 
there  was  of  it  than  of  shadow  in  the  world. 
He  felt  so  joyous  that  he  actually  broke  out 
into  an  hymn  of  praise.  He  was  in  this 
mood  when  he  saw  Jones  ride  slowly  up  and 
dismount.  He  could  hardly  wait  for  the 
horse  to  be  tied  and  the  stairs  to  be  climbed. 

"  We  are  saved  !  "  he  exclaimed,  as  Jones 
entered  the  study.  "  Let  them  do  their  best 
now,  we  are — " 

At  the  sight  of  Jones'  white  face  he 
stopped. 

"  What's  the  matter  ?     Art  thou  ill  ?     Be 


THE  REGICIDES.  273 

« 

well,  then ;  we  have  some  good  news  that 
will  cure  thee  !  ' ' 

Jones  sank  into  a  chair,  and  it  was  a  full 
minute  before  he  could  speak. 

"No,  no,  no — "  he  gasped,  "we  are  not 
saved — we  are  lost — Whalley  and  Goffe  have 
been  taken  !  ' ' 


XXVI. 

The  minister  had  the  power  which  many 
possess  naturally,  and  which  people  who  are 
blessed  with  wills  can  cultivate,  the  power  of 
concentration.  Most  men  would  have  been 
crushed  by  the  blow  which  had  so  suddenly 
fallen.  In  spite  of  his  living  in  constant 
expectation  of  a  surprise,  he  was  completely 
dazed  for  a  time  by  Jones'  announcement. 
But  the  man  who  had  spent  a  lifetime  in 
braving  trials  was  not  to  be  overcome  now. 
He  was  the  first  to  recover  composure,  and 
immediately  set  about  to  cheer  his  friends. 

"When  Charles  Stuart,  the  cause  of  all 
this  trouble,  was  condemned,  he  walked  to 
the  fatal  block  like  a  conquerer.  Shall  we 
show  less  fortitude  than  he  ?  And  shall  we 
forget  the  words  of  divine  consolation  to  be 


274  THE  REGICIDES. 

• 

found  on  every  page  of  the  blessed  Book  ?  If 
it  be  that  our  cause  is  lost — for  we  are  after 
all  but  soldiers  ou  a  field  of  battle — let  us 
meet  the  end  bravely  and  with  eyes  fixed 
upon  the  face  of  the  great  Commander." 

Master  Davenport  spent  the  rest  of  the  day 
in  his  study.  He  reviewed  carefully  the 
events  of  his  life  that  had  led  up  to  this  crisis, 
and  examined  his  own  conduct  to  see  whether 
he  could  not  have  acquitted  himself  better. 
When  the  mistress  came  to  the  door  and  an- 
nounced supper  he  gently  excused  himself, 
saying  he  felt  a  little  disturbed  and  preferred 
to  fast.  Not  a  word  did  he  say  to  his  wife  or 
son  touching  the  catastrophe  that  had  befal- 
len. In  regard  to  the  outcome  he  was  entirely 
uncertain.  He  knew  that  Governor  L,eete 
would  not  sacrifice  him  or  his  friends  in  New 
Haven,  but  he  felt  that  Whalley  and  Goffe 
were  irreparably  lost.  As  to  what  trap 
Brockton  might  have  laid  he  was  not  incred- 
ulous. He  was  fully  aware  of  the  fact  that 
that  enterprising  individual  would  not  hesi- 
tate to  sell  his  own  flesh  and  blood  if  suffi- 
cient gold  were  displayed  before  his  greedy 
eyes. 

He  sat  in  his  study  far  into  the  night, 
spending  the  time  partly  in  meditation  and 


THE  REGICIDES.  275 

• 

partly  in  silent  prayer.  When  at  last  he 
retired  for  a  little  rest  he  felt  that  he  was  pre- 
pared for  whatever  the  future  might  have  in 
waiting. 

The  next  morning  one  entering  the  study 
would  never  have  suspected  the  crushing 
blow  that  had  so  lately  fallen.  The  minister 
was  not  half  so  downcast  as  John ,  who  knew 
nothing  of  it,  but  was  worrying  his  life  out 
over  a  maiden's  heart.  The  arrival  of  a  box 
of  books  from  London  kept  them  both  occu- 
pied the  greater  part  of  the  forenoon.  It 
would  have  been  hard  to  tell  which  was  the 
more  boyish  in  his  eagerness  to  pry  the  lid 
off  and  get  at  the  contents. 

' '  A  new  edition  of  Shakespeare !  ' '  ex- 
claimed Master  Davenport,  as  he  drew  forth  a 
handsome  folio.  "  A  good  beginning." 

John  looked  at  his  father  with  an  amused 
smile.  He  knew  of  some  Puritan  clergymen 
who  would  have  hidden  that  volume,  even 
from  their  sons,  and  devoured  it  in  secret. 

"  Milton  !  "  said  John,  making  a  dive  at 
the  box,  while  the  minister  turned  the  leaves 
of  Shakespeare.  "I  wonder  if  he  hath  writ- 
ten anything  new.  Comus — I/ Allegro — II 
Penseroso — Arcades— Lycidas — a  few  shorter 
ones.  Yes,  here  are  some  new  ones,  but  I 


276  THE  REGICIDES. 

see  not  the  longer  poem  that  General  Goffe 
spoke  of." 

"  The  one  he  calls  Paradise  I,ost  ?  It  can- 
not be  finished  yet.  Goffe  said  it  was  to  be 
the  work  of  his  life.  Milton  writes  slowly, 
and  at  a  great  disadvantage  since  he  lost  his 
sight." 

"  What  a  loss  that  he  should  have  given 
the  best  years  of  his  life  to  the  Commonwealth, 
leaving  only  a  cheerless  old  age  to  write  in !  " 

' '  The  years  he  spent  as  Latin  Secretary  to 
the  Commonwealth  were  not  thrown  away. 
Time  hath  ripened  his  powers,  and  what 
they  have  lost  in  fire  they  have  gained  in 
richness  and  depth." 

1 '  If  his  Paradise  L,ost  proves  better  than 
his  shorter  poems,  I  must  have  it  as  soon  as  it 
is  out,"  said  John,  who  slept  with  Milton 
under  his  pillow,  and  could  repeat  Comus  by 
heart.  "Here  is  Ben  Jonson,  and  here  is 
Cowley,  and  here  is —  ' 

"  Pass  me  Cowley,"  said  the  minister.  ' '  Is 
it  a  complete  edition?  So  it  is — 1656.  I 
remember  seeing  his  schoolboy  ' '  Poetic  Blos- 
soms," a  fifteen-year-old  production,  long 
before  New  Haven  had  even  been  dreamed  of. 
He  is  a  rank  royalist,  and  has  been  living  in 


THE  REGICIDES.  277 

France  as  secretary  to  the  queen,  but  I  hear 
he  is  back  in  London  since  the  restoration." 

"  '  The  Compleat  Angler,  by  Izak  Walton,' 
what  can  this  be  ?  "  said  John,  bringing  out  a 
curious  looking  folio. 

"  My  old  friend  and  parishioner,  Walton," 
replied  the  minister,  "and  hath  he  written 
a  book?  Sure  enough.  Well,  it  is  doubt- 
less a  good  one,  for  I  verily  believe  Izak  is 
the  best  fisherman  alive  !  " 

' '  And  here  are  some  volumes  of  your  own 
sermons,"  exclaimed  John,  taking  out  a 
dozen  or  more  plainly  bound  books. 

"  Let  me  see  the  binding.  I  know  too  well 
how  poor  are  the  contents." 

Master  Davenport  examined  the  binding 
carefully,  then  laid  that  rank  royalist  Cowley 
aside,  and  began  on  the  contents.  He  kept 
on  reading  while  John  emptied  the  box  and 
piled  the  books  on  the  study  table.  John 
then  went  to  the  barn  to  give  some  directions 
to  the  man,  and  when  he  returned  the  minis- 
ter had  not  moved.  Taking  up  the  volume 
of  Shakespeare,  John  went  and  sat  down  by 
the  window.  In  the  course  of  an  hour  Mas- 
ter Davenport  had  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  his  sermons  were  properly  bound,  and 
laid  the  book  down. 


278  THE  REGICIDES. 

' '  I  would  that  I  could  have  seen  Shakes- 
peare," said  John,  noting  his  father's  move- 
ment. ' '  Looked  he  anything  like  this  por- 
trait ?" 

"  I  saw  him  but  once,  and  it  was  when  I 
was  quite  young.  Thy  grandfather  took  me 
to  London  one  day  when  I  was  a  mere  lad, 
and  we  stopped  at  an  inn — I  think  it  was 
called  '  The  Mermaid.'  In  the  evening, 
after  we  had  supped  and  were  sitting  for  a 
little,  we  heard  the  sound  of  singing  in  the 
next  room.  Father  went  to  the  door  to  see 
what  it  was,  then  beckoned  me  to  follow. 
The  room  was  filled  with  people  scattered 
about  seated  at  round  tables,  and  in  one 
corner  sat  two  men  by  themselves.  One  was 
dark  and  heavily  built,  and  he  was  singing, 
1  Drink  to  me  only  with  thine  eyes,'  while  the 
others  listened.  He  had  a  sweet  voice  for 
one  so  coarse  in  appearance,  and  I  remember 
distinctly  how  I  was  thrilled  by  the  song. 
The  one  who  sat  opposite  him  at  the  round 
table  was  much  slighter  in  figure,  while  in- 
clined to  stoutness,  and  florid  of  complexion. 
He  wore  a  small  mustache  and  chin-beard, 
and  was  getting  bald  over  his  forehead, 
though  he  appeared  not  more  than  forty.  He 
sat  looking  across  the  room  at  the  ceiling 


THE  REGICIDES.  279 

while  the  song  went  on.  At  its  close  a  burst 
of  applause  shook  the  walls,  and  the  florid 
man  turned  to  the  singer  and  said,  '  Ben 
Jonson,  thou  art  the  sweetest  singer  ever 
lived.  I  prithee  sing  th}'  '  Lament  of  Narcis- 
sus.' 'Ay,  Will,  thy  wish  shall  be  granted, 
but  do  thou  first  order  a  bottle  of  Tommy 
Lund's  good  sack,  that  I  may  wet  my  whis- 
tle,' said  the  singer.  When  we  had  gone 
to  our  room  I  asked  father  who  the  man  with 
the  blue  eyes  and  the  small  chin-beard  was. 
'  That,  my  son,'  said  he,  '  is  Will  Shakes- 
peare, of  the  Globe  Theatre,  and  he  is  one  of 
the  most  dangerous  men  in  London  !  '  " 

"And  why  the  most  dangerous  ?"  queried 
John. 

1 '  The  very  question  I  asked, ' '  replied  the 
minister,  "  and  my  father  said,  '  Because  he  is 
a  man  of  brilliant  parts,  who  dazzles  the 
youth  of  London  and  leads  them  astray.  It 
is  a  crime  before  God,' — and  I  remember  well 
how  vehement  my  father  became, — '  a  crime 
before  God  for  such  a  man  to  waste  heaven- 
born  gifts  a-writing  and  acting  plays  !  Worse 
than  that,  he  is  a  tap-room  brawler,  and 
spends  his  nights  a-drinking  sack  and  singing 
lewd  songs,  and  associating  with  such  low 
fellows  as  this  Ben  Jonson,  an  inspired  brick- 


2  So  THE  REGICIDES. 

layer,  forsooth  !  Let  this  be  a  lesson  to  thee, 
my  son,' — laying  his  hand  on  my  head — I  can 
see  his  earnest  face  now, — 'let  this  be  a  lesson 
to  thee  to  shun  these  brilliant  and  fatal  lights 
that  lure  so  many  poor  moths  to  flutter 
around  them.  '  " 

1 '  Think  }rou  not  my  grandfather  was  a 
little  prejudiced?"  asked  John,  who  saw 
Shakespeare  through  his  writings  rather  than 
with  the  visual  eye. 

"No,  I  think  he  was  right,"  responded 
the  minister  firmly.  "  William  Shakespeare 
personally  was  a  dangerous  example  for  the 
young,  and  he  wrote  much  that  were  better 
left  unwritten.  He  was  a  great  poet,  and 
read  the  human  heart  as  no  man  ever  had 
read  it  before ;  but  the  pity  is  that  so  great 
a  man  could  not  have  been  wholly  wise  and 
good." 

' '  I  can  see  where  the  danger  lies, ' '  returned 
John,  "yet  I  quite  fail  to  understand  how  a 
well-balanced  mind  could  be  otherwise  than 
improved  by  a  study  of  his  writings." 

"  True,  his  book  is  not  for  children  or  fools. 
Study  him  aright  and  thou  wilt  be  a  better 
man  for  it ;  read  him  as  the  fool  readeth,  and 
the  fool's  reward  followeth." 

The  clock  struck  eleven,   and   the  father 


THE  REGICIDES.  281 

and  son  prepared  to  take  their  usual  morning 
walk. 

"  I/et  us  go  and  tell  Marston,"  said  the 
minister,  taking  his  hat.  ' '  The  sight  of  new 
books  may  do  him  good." 

"  I  fear  I,' Allegro  will  have  no  charms  for 
him,"  replied  John.  "II  Penseroso  might 
cheer  him  up  a  bit." 

They  started  out  to  visit  Marston,  but  first 
strolled  to  the  northward  toward  Sachem 
Woods.  Master  Davenport  always  found  a 
long  walk  on  a  pleasant  day  the  best  antidote 
for  depression  of  spirits.  He  never  yielded 
to  the  temptation  of  nursing  his  moods,  but 
on  his  darkest  days  lived  most  in  the  sun- 
light. They  found  Marston  sitting  in  a  cor- 
ner engaged  in  meditation.  Such  a  sweet 
medley  of  bird  songs  filled  the  air  outside 
that  the  minister  had  hesitated  about  going 
in  lest  he  lose  the  cheering  sound.  Marston 
had  stuffed  his  ears  that  the  noise  might  not 
disturb  his  thoughts. 

"  Are  there  any  books  that  lend  new  aids 
to  meditation?"  asked  Marston,  when  told  of 
the  fresh  addition  to  the  clerical  library. 

' '  There  is  much  that  will  help  us  to  see 
the  bright  and  cheerful  in  life,"  replied  the 
minister. 


282  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Then  tell  me  not  of  it,"  groaned  Mars- 
ton.  "  My  greatest  struggle  is  to  resist  a 
spirit  of  levity.  I  dwell  too  much  on  earthly 
things  already.  L,ead  me  not  into  a  new 
temptation  by  telling  me  of  frivolous  writ- 
ings !  ' ' 

The  Davenports  cut  short  their  visit  and 
continued  their  walk. 

' '  What  a  pity  there  was  not  a  copy  of 
Dante's  Inferno  in  the  box ! ' '  said  John,  when 
they  were  well  out  of  the  Marstonian  atmos- 
phere. "  We  might  have  touched  him  with 
that." 

As  they  passed  on  through  the  southwest- 
ern portion  of  the  village  they  came  to  a  giant 
oak  tree  near  a  street  corner. 

"Here,"  said  the  minister  stopping  and 
looking  up  into  the  leafy  canopy,  "  under  the 
spreading  branches  of  this  tree  was  preached 
the  first  sermon  ever  uttered  in  this  part  of 
the  country." 

"Strange  I  never  knew  the  spot,"  said 
John,  examining  the  surroundings  with  in- 
terest. "I  have  often  heard  the  incident 
mentioned.  Sometimes  I  regret  that  you 
brought  me  not  with  you  that  I  might  have 
felt  the  full  influence  of  the  new  experiences." 

"Thou  wert  too   young,  and  the  dangers 


THE  REGICIDES.  283 

and  hardships  were  great  for  a  child  to  bear. 
Many  children  came  with  us,  and  most  of 
them  are  now  lying  in  the  little  plot  in  the 
rear  of  the  meeting-house.  But  the  incident 
here  is  a  pleasant  one  to  look  back  upon  now. 
Hope  beat  high  in  every  breast  on  that  day 
when  we  sailed  into  the  harbor  and  up  this 
creek.  The  next  day  was  the  Sabbath,  and 
every  man,  woman  and  child  left  the  water 
and  came  to  this  tree  for  worship.  We  all 
felt  that  a  new  era  was  dawning,  and  here 
would  be  demonstrated  the  fact  that  a  state 
founded  upon  high  principles  would  endure. 
We  thought  we  were  building  upon  solid 
rock,  and  little  guessed  that  we  were  choosing 
instead  the  quicksand  of  human  selfishness  !  ' ' 

A  flood  of  bitter  recollections  prevented 
further  reminiscence,  and  father  and  son  bent 
their  steps  silently  homeward. 

As  they  neared  the  house  they  saw  a  lady 
in  the  garden  with  Mistress  Davenport,  walk- 
ing among  the  flowers.  There  was  somewhat 
about  her  that  looked  familiar,  but  at  a  dis- 
tance they  could  not  be  certain  who  it  was. 
As  they  drew  nearer  the  ladies  left  the  garden 
and  went  into  the  house. 

"Some  one  from  the  farms,  no  doubt," 
said  the  minister  while  they  opened  the  front 


284  THE  REGICIDES. 

gate  and  passed  in.  Master  Davenport  went 
directly  to  his  study  and  John  to  the  barn 
to  see  that  his  horse  had  been  properly 
cared  for. 

Dinner  was  ready  and  had  been  waiting 
some  time,  and  when  the  gentlemen  entered 
the  dining-room  they  stood  face  to  face  with 
Mistress  Abigail  Pierson.  As  soon  as  the 
minister  recovered  from  his  surprise  he  took 
both  her  hands  in  his. 

' '  Thou  art  the  most  welcome  sight  these 
eyes  have  seen  in  many  a  day,"  he  said,  look- 
ing fondly  into  Abigail's  upturned  face. 
"And  how  came  you  so  suddenly  and  unan- 
nounced? " 

' '  My  brother  Abraham  was  called  to  preach 
in  Fairtield  on  the  morrow,  and  I  begged  him 
to  take  me  on  his  pillion  and  leave  me  here 
until  his  return,"  replied  Abigail. 

"  Then  may  his  return  be  long  delayed," 
said  the  minister,  leading  her  across  the  room 
to  the  table. 

John  envied  his  father  the  privilege  of  hold- 
ing those  sweet  hands  so  long,  but  had  to 
content  himself  with  a  simple  welcome.  He 
determined  then  and  there,  however,  to  estab- 
lish, before  Abraham's  return,  his  right  to 


THE  REGICIDES.  285 

hold  them  as  long  as  he  pleased  or  find  him- 
self condemned  to  everlasting  misery. 

After  dinner  Abigail  made  a  formal  call  on 
Mistress  Jones,  then  ran  across  the  garden  to 
see  Goody  Bascombe,  who  held  her  fast  as 
though  she  could  never  let  her  go.  Poor 
Goody  !  Her  potent  herbs  that  had  proved 
a  charm  in  so  many  sick  rooms  were  power- 
less to  check  the  ravages  of  rheumatism  in  a 
body  so  frail  as  hers,  but  she  patiently  bore 
every  pain  without  a  complaint.  She  knew 
that  a  weekly  attendance  at  the  arctic  meet- 
ing-house during  a  score  of  winters  had 
broken  her  delicate  constitution,  but  she  had 
no  quarrel  with  what  she  considered  the 
decrees  of  Providence. 

1 '  My  blessings  are  already  more  than  I 
deserve,"  she  said,  while  Abigail  rubbed  the 
poor  aching  joints.  "  When  I  think  how 
Another  suffered  and  died  for  me  and  all  man- 
kind, centuries  before  I  was  born,  and  how 
little  I  have  done  to  merit  the  sacrifice,  I  am 
willing  to  bear  all  that  comes  to  me. 

"  Thou  wilt  be  better  soon,"  said  Abigail 
soothingly.  "  Doth  not  my  rubbing  ease  the 
pain?" 

"Ay,  and  the  sight  of  thy  sweet  face  and 
the  touch  of  thy  hand  do  make  me  forget  all 


286  THE  REGICIDES. 

else.  Thou  wilt  leave  behind  a  ray  of  sun- 
shine that  the  darkest  night  of  agony  cannot 
put  out." 

Abigail  stayed  with  Goody  Bascombe  as 
long  as  her  time  permitted,  and  after  fixing 
the  old  lady's  cap  and  readjusting  the  flannels 
about  the  swollen  joints,  she  promised  to  come 
again  before  going  home,  and  went  away. 

After  a  brief  call  on  Goodwife  Chapman 
and  a  longer  one  on  Hope  Marston,  she  re- 
turned and  spent  the  rest  of  the  afternoon  with 
Mistress  Davenport. 

At  supper  time  John  was  unusually  quiet, 
so  much  so  that  his  mother  thought  some- 
thing must  be  wrong  with  him. 

"A  little  walk  might  do  thee  good,"  she 
suggested. 

"  Provided  I  were  accompanied  by  the  Mis- 
tress Abigail,"  he  replied,  catching  at  the 
idea.  "  It  is  ofttimes  depressing  to  the  spirits 
to  walk  alone." 

"  Then  do  thou  go,  my  daughter,  and  see 
that  the  boy's  spirits  are  not  allowed  to  get 
too  low." 

The  village  streets  were  quiet  save  for  the 
homeward  trudge  of  a  belated  farm-hand,  and 
the  subdued  discussion  of  the  birds  as  they 
settled  into  their  nests  for  the  night.  The 


THE  REGICIDES.  287 

master  of  the  watch  stood  with  his  assistants 
on  the  market-place  ready  to  move  at  the  tap 
of  the  drum  and  give  another  night's  protec- 
tion to  the  sleeping  inhabitants.  The  sun 
was  a  half  hour  gone,  and  the  mellow  haze  of 
the  New  England  twilight  was  beginning  to 
dim  the  familiar  streets. 

They  had  not  been  out  long  before  the 
moon  showed  a  great  yellow  disc  behind  the 
eastern  tree-tops,  and  John  chose  the  path 
leading  to  Prospect  Hill  beyond  the  Sachem 
Woods.  They  sauntered  slowly  along,  say- 
ing little,  and  by  the  time  they  reached  the 
top  of  the  hill  the  moon  shone  full  on  the 
bay. 

"How  beautiful!"  exclaimed  Abigail. 
4 '  Could  paradise  be  more  so  ?  " 

"  Not  unless  thou  wert  there,"  said  John, 
taking  her  unresisting  hand  in  both  his  own. 
And  standing  there  in  the  moonlight,  with 
the  stars  looking  down  in  silent  benediction, 
and  the  lovely  panorama  spreading  away  at 
their  feet,  he  told  her  of  his  love. 

When  they  reached  home  the  mistress  was 
watching  anxiously  at  the  window. 

"Can  they  have  forgotten  that  nine  o'clock 
means  lights  out  in  every  well-ordered 


288  THE  REGICIDES. 

house?"  she  had  said  to  herself,  just  before 
the  truants  appeared. 

John  entered  the  house  with  the  air  of  a 
conquerer,  and  Abigail  clinging  to  his  arm. 
His  mopishness  had  vanished,  and  his  spirits 
danced  in  his  eyes  as  he  bowed  low  and  pre- 
sented Abigail. 

"  Mother,"  said  he,  "I  ween  this  lady  is 
not  a  stranger  to  you,  but  lest  there  be  some 
misunderstanding,  let  me  introduce  her  as  the 
new  Mistress  Davenport  to  be." 

The  mistress  took  Abigail  in  her  arms  and 
kissed  her  over  and  over  again,  and  laughed 
and  cried  until  the  minister  came  from  the 
study  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 

"  So  it  is  over  at  last !  "  she  said,  holding 
Abigail  at  arm's  length  and  looking  into  her 
eyes. 

"  I  prithee,  what  is  over  at  last  ?  "  inquired 
John,  wondering  what  his  mother  could 
mean. 

Then  they  all  sat  down  and  Mistress  Dav- 
enport told  them  how  she  had  watched  the 
course  of  affairs  for  many  months,  and  had 
sent  them  off  together  hoping  the  matter 
might  be  settled  before  Abigail  returned  to 
Branford.  The  minister,  man-fashion,  was 
forced  to  admit  that  such  a  thing  never  oc- 


THE  REGICIDES.  289 

curred  to  him,  and  when  the  mistress  remind- 
ed him  of  John's  odd  actions,  his  low  spirits, 
his  absentmindedness,  and  his  sentencing  of 
Goodman  Barnes'  horse  to  sit  in  the  stocks 
for  running  away,  he  confessed  that  he  had 
attributed  it  all  to  a  burdening  sense  of 
responsibility  in  the  discharge  of  public 
duty. 

' '  I  fear  thou  hast  not  read  thy  Shakespeare 
aright,"  said  John,  laughing  at  what  then 
appeared  so  ridiculous. 

' '  I  am  getting  old  and  stupid,  more  like- 
ly," replied  Master  Davenport,  who  was 
greatly  pleased  but  could  not  adjust  himself 
suddenly  to  the  surprise. 

The  lights  burned  longer  than  usual  in  the 
parsonage  that  night,  and  the  master  of  the 
watch  knocked  at  the  door  to  inquire  if  any- 
body were  ill,  and  could  he  render  any  assist- 
ance. John  went  late  to  his  room,  and  he 
had  no  more  than  shut  the  door  when  he  re- 
membered that  he  had  neglected  to  take  a 
final  look  at  the  horse,  as  was  his  custom  be- 
fore retiring. 

' '  My  absentmindedness  seems  to  be  not 
yet  over,"  he  said  to  himself  as  he  turned  to 
go  back.  "The  burden  of  my  public  du- 
ties— ' '  And  he  laughed  as  he  had  not  done 


290  THE  REGICIDES. 

since  the  shadow  of  a  maiden's  face  had  fal- 
len across  his  heart. 

When  he  reached  the  top  of  the  stairs  he 
met  Abigail  with  her  candle.  The  mistress 
had  just  preceded  her  across  the  hall. 

"  Little  sweetheart,"  said  John,  taking  her 
in  his  arms  and  kissing  her  again  and  again, 
"  thou  hast  made  me  very  happy  this  day." 

"And  I  am  not  unhappy,"  she  replied, 
hiding  her  face  on  his  shoulder. 

Mistress  Davenport  drew  the  curtains  in 
Abigail's  room,  that  the  light  might  not  dis- 
turb her  too  early  in  the  morning,  and  was 
returning  as  Abigail  entered  the  door. 

"Why,  my  daughter!"  she  exclaimed, 
' '  thy  dear  dress  is  streaked  with  tallow  !  ' ' 

Abigail  looked  and  saw  the  tell-tale  drip- 
pings. 

' '  I  am  afraid  I — I — held  not  my  candle 
steady  when — when  John — "  And  she 
blushed  and  turned  her  pretty  face  away. 

But  the  mistress  was  wise  and  understood. 


THE  REGICIDES.  291 

XXVII. 

"  It  was  on  a  narrow  margin,"  said  Richard 
Sperry  to  Jones,  at  the  close  of  the  morning 
service  next  day.  "  Had  I  been  an  hour  later 
it  could  not  have  been  done." 

"  Thou  speakest  in  riddles,"  replied  Jones. 
"  Come  to  one  side  and  make  thyself  plain  if 
it  be  aught  that  concerneth  me." 

' '  There  is  naught  to  say  except  to  tell  thee 
how  close  a  rub  it  was." 

"Who  hath  been  rubbed,  and  what  mattereth 
it  to  me  how  close  it  was  ?' '  snapped  Jones,  who 
had  been  particularly  testy  since  his  discovery 
on  Friday. 

Sperry  dropped  the  subject  and  joined  a 
group  of  farmers  who  were  talking  crops  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  meeting-house. 

"  Somebody  hath  rubbed  Master  Jones'  fur 
the  wrong  way,"  he  said  to  himself.  "When 
it  gets  smoothed  down  he  may  want  to  see 
me." 

During  the  afternoon  service  he  noticed 
Jones  looking  his  way  two  or  three  times  with 
an  inquiring  expression  in  his  eyes.  He  di- 
vined it  to  be  an  indication  that  Jones  was 
revolving  something  in  his  mind, and  conclud- 
ed not  to  be  too  pliant.  After  the  benediction 


292  THE  REGICIDES. 

he  walked  quickly  out  of  the  meeting-house, 
and  when  Jones  finally  made  his  way  out 
Sperry  was  disappearing  on  horseback  up  the 
street.  The  moment  Jones  saw  the  horse's 
heels  flying  toward  Amity  he  felt  greatly  de- 
pressed. The  more  he  reflected  on  Sperry's 
words  the  more  he  became  convinced  of  their 
significance.  His  first  impluse  was  to  jump 
on  his  horse  and  ride  out  to  the  farms  that 
night,  but  on  second  thought  he  desisted. 
He  knew  Sperry  to  be  as  proud  and  sensitive 
as  himself,  and  did  not  care  to  be  humiliated. 

All  that  night  Master  Jones  could  not 
sleep.  He  kept  revolving  Sperry's  words  in 
his  mind.  "  Had  I  been  an  hour  later  it 
could  not  have  been  done  " — "  a  close  rub." 
What  could  Sperry  have  meant  ?  He  was 
not  a  man  to  speak  without  meaning, 
although  it  was  a  well-recognized  character- 
istic of  his  to  veil  the  idea  he  wished  to 
convey  with  language  that  might  be  mislead- 
ing to  the  listener.  At  four  in  the  morning 
Jones  rose,  after  debating  with  himself  all 
night,  ordered  his  man  to  saddle  a  horse,  and 
without  stopping  for  breakfast,  started  for 
the  farms  at  full  speed. 

On  reaching  the  mill  he  reconsidered,  and 
thought  how  ridiculous  Sperry  would  think 


REGICIDES.  293 

him  for  appearing  before  sunrise  with  no 
ostensible  errand  for  an  excuse.  He  knew 
Sperry  would  see  through  him  in  a  minute. 
He  halted  his  horse  in  the  middle  of  the  road 
and  thought  for  a  little,  then  turned  about 
and  galloped  home. 

"Why  art  thou  abroad  so  early?"  asked 
Mistress  Jones  when  he  arrived  at  the  gate. 

Jones  looked  as  guilty  as  though  he  had 
been  stealing  sheep. 

"Only  a  morning  ride,"  he  replied  ner- 
vously. "I  rested  not  well  last  night,  and 
craved  a  little  exercise." 

About  eight  o'clock  he  started  again,  and 
arrived  at  the  farms  with  his  fur  smoothed 
down.  Sperry  was  at  work  in  a  field  near 
the  road,  but  Jones  kept  on,  pretending  not 
to  see  him.  On  finding  that  Sperry  said 
nothing,  he  finally  reined  up  to  the  fence  and 
called  out,  "  Hulloa,  Sperry  !  " 

' '  Good  morrow,  Master  Jones, ' '  said  Sperry, 
keeping  on  at  his  task. 

"  I  was  going  by,"  continued  Jones,  "  and 
was  going  to  ask — if  I  saw  you — if — the  In- 
dians are  troubled  by  the  swine  nowadays." 

"I  hear  no  complaint,"  replied  Sperry 
quietly,  without  looking  up. 

Jones  rode  on  over  the  hill,  and  Sperry 


294  THE  REGICIDES. 

laughed  to  himself.  "  I  wonder  if  it  now 
concerneth  him  how  close  the  rub  was. 
Mayhap  he  will  soon  be  back  to  see." 

In  half  an  hour  Jones  rode  leisurely  back 
and  dismounted. 

"  Seeing  I  am  here,  Sperry,  suppose  we  go 
over  our  accounts." 

Sperry  looked  up  in  some  surprise.  He 
saw  Jones  was  getting  desperate.  "Very 
well,"  he  replied,  dropping  his  work.  They 
went  into  the  house,  and  spent  an  hour  going 
over  the  accounts  without  getting  any  nearer 
to  the  object  of  the  visit.  Jones  tried  to  work 
around  to  it  several  times,  but  Sperry  adroitly 
avoided  every  lead.  At  last  Jones  gave  up. 
He  was  getting  so  nervous  that  his  hands 
trembled . 

"  Sperry,"  he  said  abruptly,  "what  did 
you  mean  yesterday  by  saying,  'It  was  a  close 
rub  '  ?  It  occurs  to  me  that  you  may  have 
had  something  important  to  convey." 

"'A  close  rub'?  said  Sperry,  squinting 
his  eyes,  and  looking  across  the  room  as  if 
trying  to  recall  what  he  had  said.  "  I  don't 
quite  get  you,  Master  Jones." 

"  At  the  meeting-house,"  explained  Jones, 
feeling  terribly  humiliated.  "You  said  it 
was  '  on  a  narrow  margin.'  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  295 

Sperry  scratched  his  head  and  squinted  and 
thought  a  little  more,  then  suddenly  straight- 
ened his  face  out. 

"  Oh,  I  remember  now  !  But  it  was  nothing 
important.  It  was  on  my  mind  then  that  it 
might  be  of  interest,  but  I  saw  at  once  that  I 
was  mistaken.  It  was  really  nothing  at  all." 

Poor  Jones  saw  he  must  drink  the  bitter 
cup  to  the  dregs,  and  he  made  a  heroic  effort. 

"  Sperry,  I  was  irritated,  I  was  not  myself. 
Forgive  me,  I  prithee,  and  tell  me  what  thou 
hast  to  say." 

Richard  Sperry  was  as  generous  as  he  was 
proud,  and  his  resentment  vanished  the 
moment  those  honest  words  were  spoken. 

"I  supposed,  Master  Jones,  that  my  re- 
marks would  be  plain  after  the  message  I 
sent  on  Friday  afternoon." 

'  Message  ?     I  have  received  no  message." 

"  What,  did  not  John  Beasley-tell  thee  as  I 
instructed  him  ?  ' ' 

"  I  have  not  seen  John  Beasley." 

It  was  now  Sperry 's  turn  to  be  surprised. 

' '  I  told  Beasley  when  he  finished  hoeing 
in  the  garden  last  Friday  noon  to  go  to  thy 
house  direct  and  tell  thee  to  have  no  fear, 
that  whatever  rumor  might  get  abroad,  all  was 
well." 


296  777£  REGICIDES. 


"And  the  drunken  scoundrel  got  sodden 
on  his  wage,  and  left  thy  message  undeliver- 
ed !"  exclaimed  Jones,  a  great  light  breaking 
upon  him.  "  But  so  sure  as  John  Davenport 
is  a  judge,  I  will  have  him  flogged  until  the 
blood  runs  from  every  vein  in  his  vile  body  ! 
Now  tell  me  thy  stcry  quickly,  though  I 
already  guess  it." 

Richard,  like  all  the  Sperrys,  was  a  story 
teller  par  excellence,  and  Jones  listened 
with  rapt  attention  ;  but  it  will  be  necessary, 
for  certain  reasons,  to  go  back  a  little  and 
allow  events  to  speak  for  themselves. 

When  Jonathan  Meigs  saw  Brockton  and  a 
stranger  ride  into  Guilford  from  the  north  at 
full  gallop  on  Thursday  and  make  straight  for 
Governor  I/eete's  house,  he  concluded  at  once 
that  there  was  trouble  ahead.  Nobody  knew 
for  a  certainty  where  Brockton  had  been  for 
the  past  month,  but  it  had  transpired  somehow 
that  he  had  gone  to  Boston  to  convey  impor- 
tant information.  His  sudden  return  with  a 
stranger  in  royalist  dress,  and  their  evident 
haste  to  see  the  governor,  roused  Meigs'  sus- 
picion to  such  a  pitch  that  he  decided  to  send 
word  to  New  Haven  as  soon  as  night  fell. 
He  hunted  up  Owanuc,  the  Indian,  and 
Owanuc  promised  to  do  the  errand,  but  his 


THE  REGICIDES.  297 

long  attachment  to  Governor  I,eete  finally 
prevailed,  and  after  dallying  until  nine  o'clock 
he  told  Meigs  he  could  not  go. 

There  was  then  no  course  left  but  for 
Meigs  to  take  his  horse  and  go  himself.  It 
was  just  ten  o'clock  when  he  rode  quietly 
down  Guilford  street  and  took  the  high  road. 
A  bright  moon  rendered  his  journey  more 
expeditious  than  it  otherwise  would  have 
been,  but  as  he  neared  New  Haven  he  real- 
ized that  the  moon  was  about  to  prove  his 
most  serious  obstacle.  It  was  near  midn:ght, 
and  he  knew  he  ran  great  risk  of  encounter- 
ing the  watch.  He  dismounted  a  little  out- 
side the  village  limit,  fastened  his  horse  in  a 
thicket,  and  made  his  way  cautiously  in  on 
foot.  Twice  he  ran  foul  of  the  watch,  but 
managed  to  secrete  himself  in  time  to  escape 
observation.  A  full  hour  passed  before  he 
reached  the  minister's  house  and  crept  up 
into  the  shadow  of  the  doorway.  He  gently 
rapped,  but  received  no  response.  He  then 
darted  across  the  street  to  Jones'  house  and 
tried  the  same  tactics  with  a  similar  result. 
He  dared  not  knock  too  loudly  for  fear  of 
attracting  the  attention  of  the  watch.  He 
walked  around  the  house  and  made  as  much 
noise  as  he  dared  at  every  window  within  his 


298  THE  REGICIDES. 

reach.  It  seemed  to  him  as  though  every 
sleeper  was  patiently  waiting  for  the  last 
trump.  He  went  back  to  the  minister's  and 
tried  the  windows,  but  remembered  that  no 
one  slept  on  the  ground  floor.  He  sat  down 
in  the  garden  by  the  fence  and  took  account 
of  the  situation.  Something  must  be  done 
during  the  night,  for  his  appearance  in  New 
Haven  at  an  early  hour  of  the  morning  would 
cause  comment.  Then,  too,  the  governor  and 
his  officers  might  be  there  at  daylight.  There 
was  but  one  thing  to  do,  to  go  back  and  get 
his  horse  and  find  Richard  Sperry. 

The  day  was  near  breaking  when  he 
arrived  at  the  farms  and  roused  Sperry. 
There  was  no  need  to  fear  making  a  noise 
there,  and  he  had  not  been  on  the  ground 
two  minutes  before  Sperry  raised  a  window 
and  put  out  his  head.  It  took  but  a  sentence 
to  make  known  the  situation,  and  in  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour  both  were  crossing  the  valley 
on  their  way  to  the  cave.  They  approached 
the  hiding-place  cautiously,  and  could  hear 
the  deep  breathing  of  the  sleepers  as  they  lis- 
tened at  the  opening. 

"I  would  that  we  need  not  tell  them," 
whispered  Sperry.  "General  Whalley's 
health  is  shattered  already,  and  a  new  anxiety 


THE  REGICIDES.  299 

may  prove  fatal.  L,et  us  withdraw  for  a  little 
consultation,  and  see  what  had  best  be  done." 

They  climbed  to  the  top  of  the  mountain, 
which  was  but  a  short  way  beyond  the  cave, 
and  reached  the  summit  just  as  the  dawn  was 
beginning  to  be  rosy  above  the  eastern  hor- 
izon. 

"Sit  thee  down  while  we  talk  a  little," 
said  Sperry,  as  they  came  to  a  comfortable 
spot  at  the  foot  of  a  tree.  "Thou  must  be 
weary  without  any  sleep  all  night." 

1 '  I  had  not  paused  to  think  of  that, ' '  re- 
turned Meigs,  who,  however,  gladly  threw 
himself  down  on  a  bed  of  pine  needles.  ' '  I^et 
me  but  feel  sure  that  nothing  will  go  amiss, 
and  it  will  be  worth  more  than  sleep." 

"What  think  you  had  best  be  done?" 
asked  Sperry,  after  selecting  a  convenient 
stone  to  sit  on. 

"  It  is  plain  to  my  mind,"  replied  Meigs, 
' '  that  a  definite  plan  of  operation  hath  been 
decided  upon  by  this  time,  for  Brockton  wore 
a  look  that  betokened  a  fixed  resolution. 
The  presence  of  the  stranger  with  him  makes 
it  appear  to  me  as  though  it  had  been  ar- 
ranged to  take  the  men  and  deliver  them  over 
to  this  Englishman  by  a  sudden  move,  so 


300  THE  REGICIDES. 

there  would  be  no  risk  of  interference  until 
all  was  over. 

"The  man  is  evidently  Mr.  Woodgreen,  of 
whom  Secretary  Rawson  wrote  in  his  letter 
that  was  shown  to  Master  Davenport,"  said 
Sperry.  "  If  so,  his  coming  bodes  no  good." 

' '  It  seemeth  to  me  that  there  remains  but 
one  thing  to  do,"  continued  Meigs.  "  If  this 
hiding-place  be  known,  there  will  be  a  descent 
upon  it  before  noon,  and  when  that  time 
conies  the  cave  must  be  empty.  The  only 
question  is  where  the  generals  shall  go." 

"I  shall  take  them  to  my  house,"  said 
Sperry,  quietly,  after  reflecting  a  few  minutes. 
' '  Do  you  remain  here  at  the  brow  of  the 
mountain  and  keep  a  watch,  and  I  will  go 
and  make  ready  for  them.  Should  it  be 
necessary  to  give  warning,  imitate  the  cawing 
of  a  crow — canst  thou  do  it  ?  " 

"  Have  I  never  hid  in  a  cornfield  with  a 
gun?"  answered  Meigs,  laughing.  "And 
have  I  not  fooled  more  crows  than  ever  fooled 
me  ?  Yes,  when  thou  hearest  a  whole  flock 
of  crows  around  thy  ears,  know  that  it  was  I 
who  sent  them  there." 

Sperry  slid  down  the  side  of  the  mountain 
to  the  cave,  and  found  Goffe  standing  on  a 
ledge  just  outside,  watching  the  sunlight  that 


THE  REGICIDES.  301 

was  beginning  to  gild  the  tops  of  the  opposite 
hills. 

"  Hist !  "  said  Goffe,  putting  his  finger  on 
his  lips.  "Come  to  one  side.  I  can  read 
trouble  in  thy  face.  L,et  me  keep  it  from 
General  Whalley  if  possible." 

They  went  a  short  distance  away,  and 
Sperry  explained  the  situation. 

"  Put  thyself  in  no  trap,"  said  Goffe,  when 
he  had  heard  Sperry's  proposition.  "  If  we 
are  missed  here  thy  house  will  be  the  first 
place  of  attack.  L,et  us  depart  at  once  toward 
the  north.  We  can  keep  in  the  woods  and 
avoid  notice." 

' '  The  quickest  place  in  the  world  to  be 
discovered!"  exclaimed  Sperry.  "  The  In- 
dians spend  most  of  their  time  in  the  woods, 
and  while  they  are  friendly,  their  tongues 
might  wag.  Keep  clear  of  the  woods,  what- 
ever happens !  " 

"  Thou  art  wiser  than  I  in  these  matters," 
replied  Goffe,  "but  do  thou  not  ruin  thyself 
to  save  us.  L/et  us  rather  take  our  chances 
with  the  red  men." 

"That  can  be  arranged,  and  safely,  as  I 
think , "  said  Sperry .  "Get  General  Whalley 
in  readiness,  and  when  thou  hearest  the  call  of 
crows,  leave  thy  cave  in  disorder,  to  indicate 


202  THE  REGICIDES. 

that  it  hath  been  abandoned,  and  take  the  path 
to  the  foot  of  the  gap.  There,  by  the  dead 
oak  tree,  thou  wilt  find  a  couple  of  hoes. 
Take  them  and  work  across  the  fields,  as 
though  cultivating  the  crops,  until  thou 
reachest  the  house.  If  thou  art  pursued  close- 
ly, work  fast ;  if  not,  the  more  leisurely  the 
better.  When  thou  arrivest  I  will  be  there 
and  tell  thee  what  to  do." 

Goffe  grasped  the  hand  of  his  friend  and 
wrung  it. 

"  It  shall  be  as  thou  sayest,"  he  said.  "  I 
will  trust  thy  ingenuity  to  save  thyself  and 
us." 

There  was  no  time  to  lose,  and  Goffe  re- 
turned to  the  cave,  while  Sperry  decended 
the  mountain-side  to  the  valley  below.  It 
was  not  until  well  toward  noon  that  he  saw 
two  men  slip  rapidly  down  the  mountain  and 
work  across  the  fields  like  two  farm  laborers. 

As  soon  as  Meigs  had  given  the  alarm  he 
retreated  into  the  deep  woods,  and  an  hour 
later  made  his  way  slowly  and  by  a  rounda- 
bput  course  to  Sperry's  house. 

"  I  must  make  haste  to  notify  Master  Jones 
and  the  minister  that  all  is  well,"  said  he, 
while  putting  the  saddle  on  his  horse. 

"  Nay,  do  not  waste  time  or  prudence  by 


THE  REGICIDES.  303 

stopping  in  town,"  replied  Sperry.  "The 
men  are  safe,  and  I  will  send  a  blind  message 
to  the  right  persons  by  John  Beasley." 

He  watched  the  horse  and  rider  move 
swiftly  down  the  road,  then  went  into  the 
house  to  look  after  his  guests.  That  night 
he  hid  them  in  the  woods  back  of  the  barn, 
being  fearful  of  a  sudden  surprise.  Together 
he  and  Goffe  constructed  a  brush  hut  that 
was  quite  as  comfortable  as  a  house  to  sleep 
in,  and  during  the  time  that  passed  between 
Meigs'  departure  and  Jones'  visit  they  had 
remained  there  in  perfect  safety. 

When  Sperry  had  finished  his  narrative  of 
the  events  just  rehearsed,  Jones  rose  and 
grasped  his  hand. 

"  Sperry,  thou  art  a  noble  friend,"  he  said, 
showing  much  emotion.  "  I  have  done  thee 
a  wrong.  Forgive  me.  God  will  reward 
thee  for  this  faithfulness  to  thy  trust.  We 
supposed  all  was  lost.  I  came  to  the  mount- 
ain on  Friday,  when  I  learned  that  Governor 
Leete  and  the  others  were  in  town,  and 
thought  to  warn  our  friends  of  impending 
danger.  When  I  reached  the  cave  it  was  de- 
serted, and  from  its  appearance  I  concluded 
there  had  been  a  struggle  and  a  capture. 


304  THE  REGICIDES. 

There  have  been  sad  times  in  certain  quarters 
since  that  hour." 

' '  But  couldst  thou  not  have  seen  whether 
the  governor  returned  to  Guilford  empty 
handed  as  he  came  or  110  ?  " 

"Ah,  no;  their  plans  were  well  laid. 
They  came  by  horse,  but  after  leaving  the 
mountain  they  went  direct  to  the  water  and 
home  by  a  sail  craft  that  had  been  held  in 
readiness." 

"Afraid  of  a  rescue  !  "  exclaimed  Sperry. 
"  Well,  the  governor  slept  too  late  that  morn- 
ing. He  was  a  long  ways  behind  Meigs.who 
slept  not  at  all." 

"  Yes,  but  he  will  never  sleep  more  until 
every  inch  of  ground  in  this  neighborhood 
hath  been  ploughed  over.  T'uou  art  lucky, 
Sperry,  to  have  remained  unmolested  so  long. 
Another  move  must  be  made  without  delay." 

He  then  related  the  result  of  the  interview 
at  the  parsonage,  wherein  Tompkins  offered 
to  take  the  generals  into  his  house  at  Mil- 
ford,  and  after  promising  to  return  at  night- 
fall, he  mounted  his  horse  and  left. 

It  was  a  busy  afternoon.  After  breaking 
the  good  ne\vs  to  Master  Davenport  he  took 
another  horse  and  rode  to  Milford.  That 
night,  when  the  moon  was  well  up,  the  fugi- 


THE  REGICIDES.  305 

tives  were  quietly  conve)7ed  to  the  cellar  of 
Master  Tompkins.  There,  as  the  diary  of 
Goffe  recordeth,  they  remained  for  many 
weary  months  without  ever  daring  to  venture 
outside,  even  into  the  orchard,  so  close  was 
the  watch  set  by  the  machinery  of  the  law. 


XXIX. 

John's  new  experience  came  near  making 
him  a  poet.  During  the  remaining  weeks  of 
summer  and  through  the  autumn  he  made 
frequent  trips  to  Branford,  always  carrying  a 
copy  of  Milton  or  Shakespeare,  which  he  and 
Abigail  would  read  together  in  some  shady 
bower  or  sitting  on  the  rocks  by  the  water's 
edge.  When  public  duties  or  the  inclem- 
ency of  the  weather  prevented  these  excur- 
sions, he  would  improve  odd  moments  by 
scribbling  off  haphazard  rhymes,  which  he 
would  send  by  the  first  horseman  that  went  to 
Branford.  These  were  mostly  careless  efforts, 
breathing  the  depth  of  his  love  and  his  utter 
loneliness,  or  picturing  the  idyllic  future  of 
which  they  both  talked  when  together  and 
dreamed  when  apart.  Sometimes  he  sounded 
a  true  poetic  note,  and  could  we  find  the 


3°6  THE  REGICIDES. 

precious  bundle  which  Abigail  sacredly  kept 
through  the  happy  j^ears  that  followed,  we 
would  be  startled  now  and  then  by  a  flash  of 
real  genius  from  among  the  yellow  and  tat- 
tered papers. 

But  three  specimens  have  come  down  to  us, 
and  one  of  them  shall  be  inserted  here.  It  is 
impossible .  to  give  the  circumstances  under 
which  it  was  written,  but  it  is  perhaps  safe  to 
assume  that  it  was  during  the  long  winter  that 
followed,  when,  as  we  have  it  from  a  relia- 
ble source,  the  young  people  were  separated 
for  a  time,  and  the  roads  were  completely 
blocked  with  snow  for  several  weeks. 

SNOW   BOUND. 

Captive  maiden,  when  the  snow 
Melts  and  makes  the  brooklets  flow  ; 

When  the  zephyrs  soft  and  shy 
Fan  the  woodland  footpaths  dry  ; 

When  the  passion  of  the  sun 
Virgin  love  of  buds  hath  won  ; 

When  the  bxirsting  bud  hath  spent 
All  its  wealth  of  hidden  scent ; 

When  the  flowers  fade  and  die, 
And  the  leaves  unnoticed  lie  ; — 

When  your  snow-bound  heart  relents, 
Then  the  winds  shall  bear  me  hence! 


THE  REGICIDES.  3°7 

Miss  Nancy  Pierson  had  manifested  a 
peculiar  hostility  toward  Abigail  ever  since 
the  engagement  had  been  announced.  Wheth- 
er it  was  from  a  spirit  of  jealousy  that  one  so 
staid  and  desirable  as  herself  should  be  left, 
while  a  young  and  impulsive  girl,  whom  even 
she  with  all  her  rigid  piety  could  not  manage, 
was  taken,  we  do  not  know.  Master  Pier- 
son  had  felt  the  discordant  note  in  his  family 
life,  and  while  he  respected  Miss  Nancy  for 
her  various  frigid  merits,  he  had  not  made 
her  his  confidante  when  John  had  asked  per- 
mission to  pay  court  to  Abigail.  So  when 
the  disclosure  was  made  without  warning  one 
summer  evening,  Miss  Nancy  received  a 
blow  from  which  she  apparently  never  recov- 
ered. From  that  time  011  she  took  no  pains 
to  conceal  her  hatred  of  Abigail,  and  late  in 
the  fall  a  conference  of  ministers  was  held. 
The  result  was  that  Abigail  was  to  spend  an- 
other winter  at  the  New  Haven  parsonage. 
So  delighted  was  John  at  the  prospect  that  he 
sat  down  and  wrote  a  poem  extolling  the  vir- 
tues of  the  Branford  spinster. 

The  long  winter  that  followed  was  one  of 
almost  unalloyed  happiness  at  the  parsonage. 
The  snow-falls  were  even  heavier  than  usual, 
and  the  cutting  winds  sometimes  beat  about 


308  THE  REGICIDES. 

the  house  with  great  fury  ;  but  the  more  vio- 
lently the  storms  raged  without,  the  more 
cheerfully  blazed  the  fireplaces  within.  With 
Abigail  living  under  his  father's  roof,  John 
enjoyed  a  state  of  mind  that  was  proof 
against  all  adversity,  atmospheric  and  other- 
wise. 

One  evening  in  December,  when  all  were 
sitting  by  the  fire,  Mistress  Davenport  spoke 
out  suddenly. 

"There  are  merry  times  in  old  England 
this  night,"  she  said,  turning  toward  her 
husband.  ' '  Hast  thou  entirely  forgotten  the 
old  days?" 

The  minister  evidently  did  not  catch  her 
meaning. 

"Ay,  the  logs  burn  brightly  in  many  a 
happy  home  over  there,  I  doubt  not,"  he 
replied,  looking  abstractedly  into  his  own  fire. 

"  The  Yule-logs  never  burn  otherwise  than 
bright!}'',"  observed  the  mistress. 

Master  Davenport  now  began  to  show  more 
interest.  v 

"  What  time  in  the  month  are  we  at  ?  "  he 
asked,  looking  at  his  wife. 

"As  I  reckon  the  days,  this  is  Christmas 
Eve,"  she  replied,  and  there  seemed  to  be  a 
shade  of  pensiveness  in  her  tone.  "  Remem- 


THE  REGICIDES.  309 

ber  you  not  that  you  once  saw  a  maiden 
whom  3'ou  fancied  at  a  Yule-tide  festival,  and 
how  you  led  her  under  the  mistletoe  in  spite 
of  her  coyness,  and  how  there,  with  a  laugh- 
ing roomful  looking  on,  you — " 

' '  Hush  !  you  forget  the  children  are  pres- 
ent," interrupted  the  minister,  with  a 
humorous  gesture  of  deprecation. 

"I  prithee  go  on,  mother,"  said  John. 
"  This  is  rare  entertainment.  We  Puritans 
know  naught  of  Christmas  celebrations  ex- 
cept by  tradition.  And  who  could  this  coy 
maiden  have  been?  " 

The  mistress  had  but  just  begun  to  tell  of 
the  old-time  festivities,  when  there  came  a 
knock  at  the  door,  and  Master  and  Mistress 
Jones  appeared  for  a  call. 

"Some  other  evening  we  must  have  it," 
said  John,  while  the  visitors  were  being  ush- 
ered in.  "We  must  know  more  about  that 
coy  maiden,  and  what  became  of  her." 

"Thy  mother  is  growing  childish,"  said 
the  minister,  but  Abigail  noticed  that  as  he 
passed  toward  the  door  to  welcome  the  guests, 
he  laid  his  hand  caressingly  on  the  mistress* 
shoulder. 

During  the  evening  the  conversation  be- 
came reminiscent,  but  it  utterly  failed  to  turn 


310  THE  REGICIDES. 

into  the  Yule-tide  channel,  as  Abigail 
wished  it  might.  It  seemed  to  her  a  pity 
that  so  fine  an  institution  could  not  be 
brought  with  them  into  the  new  world,  but 
then  she  remembered  that  Christmas  was  a 
relic  of  popery,  and  that  with  Puritans  it 
must  forever  remain  merely  a  fireside  tradi- 
tion. 

"  When  wilt  thou  build  thy  house,  John?" 
asked  Master  Jones,  when  the  subject  of  town 
improvements  had  been  hit  upon. 

' '  I  have  already  built  many  castles  in  the 
air, ' '  replied  John  laughing,  ' '  and  have  little 
prospect  of  erecting  more  substantial  houses 
at  present." 

"  Better  lay  thy  plans,"  suggested  the  min- 
ister. "  A  wedding  journey  to  a  new  house 
maketh  glad  the  heart  of  a  bride." 

At  first  John  took  the  suggestion  lightly, 
but  when  he  saw  how  it  delighted  Abigail  he 
came  to  regard  it  more  seriously,  and  before 
the  winter  had  passed  it  had  been  definitely 
settled  that  as  soon  as  the  spring  became  suf- 
ficiently advanced,  ground  should  be  broken 
for  a  new  house. 


THE  REGICIDES.  311 


XXX. 

As  a  foil  to  the  roseate  anticipations  of  the 
young  people  came  the  sad  condition  of  little 
Hope  Marston.  The  fireless  meeting-house, 
relentless  as  fate,  had  done  its  cruel  work. 
At  first  the  cough,  which  had  entirely  dis- 
appeared in  the  summer  months,  began  to  be 
heard  during  the  long  services.  It  did  not  seem 
serious  then,  but  as  the  weather  grew  colder 
it  became  more  marked,  and  toward  the  close 
of  February  there  was  a  vacant  seat  in  the 
meeting-house,  and  Hope  took  to  her  bed. 
Marston  would  have  compelled  her  continued 
attendance  had  not  sheer  weakness  prevent- 
ed. As  it  was,  the  child  was  little  fit  to  raise 
her  hand,  yet  she  lay  day  after  day  in  a  cheer- 
less corner,  and  between  the  spasms  of  cough- 
ing that  threatened  to  rack  the  frail  body  past 
recovery,  would  by  suggestion  and  direction 
help  her  father  in  the  care  of  the  house.  The 
Marstons  had  lived  for  several  years  without 
a  woman's  care,  except  a  neighborly  office 
on  stated  days  to  do  washing  and  special 
cooking.  This  was  part  of  his  contract  as 
schoolmaster,  and  was  considered  equivalent 
to  the  later  custom  of  ' '  boarding  around. ' ' 


312  THE  REGICIDES. 

It  was  an  arrangement  of  some  peculiarities 
in  that  it  developed  a  system  of  rotary  house- 
keeping, and  brought  a  different  woman  into 
the  house  each  week.  The  dreariness  of  such 
a  scheme  in  its  effect  upon  a  sensitive  child 
can  be  easily  imagined.  It  took  all  the  home 
flavor  out  of  life,  and  made  it  a  constant 
dwelling  among  strangers.  But  Marston 
gloried  in  it.  The  more  discomfort  and  the 
more  mortification  of  the  flesh,  the  better  his 
chances  of  salvation. 

The  miracle  of  it  all  was  that  Hope  sur- 
vived the  winter.  There  were  days  when  it 
seemed  that  each  must  be  the  last,  but  still 
she  held  on,  and  as  the  spring  opened  and 
the  warm  sunshine  came  in  at  her  window 
she  seemed  to  rally  and  take  on  new  strength. 
Abigail  was  of  course  a  daily  visitor  during 
all  this  time,  and  had  it  not  been  for  her 
loving  attentions  there  is  little  chance  that 
the  invalid  would  have  seen  the  spring  sun- 
shine. These  visits  were  the  bright  hours  of 
the  long  and  weary  days,  and  Hope  looked 
forward  to  them  with  a  wistfulness  that  was 
pathetic.  One  day  a  bird  jumped  from  the 
apple  tree  to  the  window-sill,  hopped  about 
from  one  end  to  the  other,  cocked  his  head  to 
one  side  and  looked  in,  as  much  as  to  say, 


THE  REGICIDES.  313 

"  I  wish  thou  wert  as  care-free  and  happy  as 
I,"  then  flew  away.  Hope  asked  Abigail  to 
put  a  few  crumbs  out  to  coax  him  back,  and 
the  next  day  he  brought  his  mate.  So  every 
time  Abigail  came  she  would  bring  crumbs 
and  lay  on  the  sill,  and  after  she  had  gone 
Hope  would  lie  for  hours  and  watch  the  birds 
come  and  go. 

When  the  flowers  began  to  put  out  their 
blossoms,  the  little  stand  by  her  bedside  was 
never  without  them.  Master  Jones  had  occa- 
sion to  go  to  the  farms  every  day,  and  brought 
hepaticas  from  the  foot  of  the  gap  during 
their  brief  season.  John  never  went  to  the 
woods  without  bringing  anemones,  and  the 
blue-and-white  innocence  from  the  pastures. 
Twice  he  went,  as  soon  as  the  snow  had  gone, 
to  the  Amity  hills  for  trailing  arbutus.  But 
Hope  was  growing  weaker,  and  by  the  time 
the  apple  blossoms  came  she  had  scarcely 
enough  strength  to  lift  her  hand  to  receive 
the  wealth  of  them  that  was  daily  brought. 

Marston  realized  that  the  end  was  drawing 
near,  and  spared  no  efforts  to  prepare  his 
daughter  for  the  great  change.  He  spent 
many  hours  in  questioning  her  on  matters  of 
doctrine,  and  reading  treatises  to  her  on  sal- 
vation and  eternal  damnation.  It  mattered 


314  THE  REGICIDES. 

not  that  the  child  shuddered,  and  sometimes 
gave  a  cry  of  agony  while  he  pictured,  as 
only  a  Calvinist  fanatic  could,  the  endless  tor- 
ments of  Hell. 

"And  can  they  never  get  out?"  groaned 
Hope  one  morning,  when  he  had  been  describ- 
ing the  tortures  of  a  lost  soul  with  peculiar 
vividness. 

"Never!"  declared  Marston  solemnly, 
' '  and  their  state  is  rendered  more  terrible 
from  hearing  the  songs  of  the  saints  over- 
head, and  witnessing  from  below  the  joys  to 
which  they  can  never  attain." 

One  June  day  Master  Davenport  came  in 
earlier  than  usual,  and  Hope  turned  to  him 
with  a  piteous  look.  She  trusted  her  father 
in  all  things,  but  it  did  not  seem  to  her  that 
the  future  could  be  as  black  as  he  had  painted 
it.  He  might  after  all  be  mistaken,  but  from 
the  decision  of  the  minister  she  felt  there 
could  be  no  appeal. 

"  Nay,  my  child,"  said  Master  Davenport, 
soothingly,  taking  her  hand  in  his.  "Fret 
not  thyself  needlessly.  Our  Father  in  heaven 
loveth  His  children  even  as  an  earthly  father 
loveth  his.  We  are  all  great  sinners,  but  He 
sent  His  only  Son  to  die  that  we  might  escape 
the  penalty  of  our  sins.  That  Savior  took  all 


THE  REGICIDES.  315 

our  iniquities  upon  Himself,  and  bore  the  full 
burden,  that  such  as  thou  art  need  not 
worry." 

The  frightened  look  passed  from  Hope's 
face  as  the  minister  spoke. 

"  But  father  saith  we  are  born  in  sin,  and 
that  unless  we  be  born  again  we  cannot  es- 
cape that  horrible  place  !  " 

"Ay,  little  one,  he  speaketh  the  truth ;  but 
think  not  too  much  of  thy  sins.  Be  penitent, 
and  pray  for  forgiveness,  and  all  thy  trans- 
gressions will  be  remembered  no  more." 

A  great  peace  stole  over  the  soul  of  the  dy- 
ing child,  and  the  tears  began  to  flow  down 
her  face.  She  lay  for  some  time  holding 
tightly  to  Master  Davenport's  hand,  as  though 
she  felt  that  safety  lay  in  its  grasp.  Then 
she  turned  quickly  and  said,  "  Wilt  thou  stay 
near  me  until — until  I  go,  or  send  the  Mis- 
tress Abigail  to  take  thy  place  ?  I  do  not 
feel  afraid  when  thou  art  near." 

"  Yes,  my  daughter,  I  will  be  with  thee  as 
much  as  may  be,  and  will  send  the  young 
mistress.  But  knew  you  not  that  her  father 
was  ill  and  required  her  nursing  ?  ' ' 

"Nay,  I  had  heard  it  not.  Then  do  not 
send  her.  I  will  not  be  afraid  if  thou  wilt 


316  THE  REGICIDES. 

say  to  me  often  that  my  soul  will  not  be  tor- 
mented." 

"  Think  no  more  of  that,"  said  the  minis- 
ter, seeing  how  firm  a  hold  Marston's  teach- 
ings had  taken  upon  the  child.  "Think 
only  of  divine  love,  and  of  the  blood  that  was 
shed  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  pray  that 
thou  rnayest  have  strength  for  thy  remaining 
days.  The  mistress  will  come  a  little  later. 
Master  Pierson,  though  ill,  is  fast  getting 
well ,  and  he  will  insist  on  her  coming  when  I 
tell  him." 

"  How  good  to  be  among  the  elect,  like  you 
and  father  and  Master  Pierson,"  said  Hope, 
after  remaining  quiet  for  a  few  minutes. 
' '  Father  saith  that  none  but  the  elect  are 
saved.  It  must  be  good  to  lie  down  to  sleep 
every  night  and  never  dread  to  for  fear  of 
waking  up  in  a  lake  of  burning  brimstone  !  ' ' 
And  she  covered  her  eyes  as  if  to  shut  out  a 
vision  that  had  haunted  her  ever  since  she 
could  remember. 

"Talk  not  so,"  said  Master  Davenport. 
"We  know  not  ^who  are  the  elect.  They 
were  chosen  from  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
and  are  likelier  to  be  such  as  thou  art  than 
many  who  wear  the  sacred  robes." 

Marston    came    into  the    room,    and    his 


THE  REGICIDES.  317 

daughter  shuddered  involuntarily.  Not  t!:at 
she  disliked  to  see  him,  but  he  brought  with 
him  a  suggestion  of  future  punishment  that 
was  painful.  The  minister  saw  it  and  called 
him  outside. 

"Hast  thou  found  her  mind  prepared?" 
asked  Marston,  when  he  had  closed  the  door 
behind  them. 

"  I  would  to  God,  Master  Marston,  that  I 
were  as  sure  of  heaven  as  she  !  ' '  exclaimed 
the  minister,  with  marked  feeling.  "  Say  no 
more  to  her,  but  leave  her  entirely  to  her 
thoughts.  I  assure  thee  she  is  better  so." 

"  It  shall  be  as  thou  sayest,"  replied 
Marston.  ' '  I  will  pray  with  her  occasionally, 
and  merely  exhort  her  to  remember  thy 
injunctions." 

' '  Pray  in  the  secret  of  thy  closet,  and  dis- 
turb her  not,  or  all  I  have  said  may  be  turned 
from  her  mind.  Promise  me  this,  and  thy 
recollections  of  her  shall  be  sweet  when  she  is 
gone." 

Master  Davenpott  looked  sternly  into 
Marston' s  eyes  as  he  said  this,  and  Marston 
promised. 

When  the  minister  returned  to  where  Hope 
lay,  she  had  apparently  fallen  asleep.  He 
stood  watching  her  for  a  few  minutes.  A 


3i8  THE  XEGICIDES. 

smile  played  about  her  mouth  for  an  instant, 
and  she  opened  her  e)res. 

"Oh,  I  thought  mother  had  come  to  take 
me  away  with  her,"  she  said.  "Artthou 
sure  she  is  not  here  ?  ' ' 

' '  Ay,  thy  guardian  angel  watcheth  over 
thee.  Art  thou  not  happy  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,  for  I  know 
she  is  waiting.  How  beautiful  she  is !  I 
would  that  I  might  go  now,  were  it  not  that  I 
must  leave  father  alone.  Thou  wilt  be  kind 
to  him,  I  know,  Master  Davenport?  " 

"Yes,  my  child." 

"  So  few  seem  to  love  him,  yet  he  hath 
always  been  good  and  kind  to  me.  He  hath 
had  many  troubles,  and  mother  hath  not  been 
here  to  care  for  him.  How  sweet  her  face  is  ! 
She  looked  at  me  as  she  used  to  when  she 
held  me  in  her  arms  and  called  me  her  poor 
darling.  Why  should  she  call  me  that,  Mas- 
ter Davenport?  " 

"Alas,  I  know  not." 

"  Was  it  because  she  knew  she  must  leave 
me  behind,  and  she  going  to  such  a  beautiful 
place?" 

"  Perchance." 

"  I  heard  her  tell  father  when  she  lay  dying 
to  teach  me  the  right  way,  that  I  might  come 


THE  REGICIDES.  319 

to  her  one  day.  He  hath  tried  to  do  so, 
think  you  not  ?  ' ' 

"  I  believe  he  hath  done  his  best,  my  child. 
But  much  talking  will  tire  thee.  L,ie  quiet 
now,  and  listen  to  the  bird  singing  in  the 
apple  tree,  while  I  go  and  pluck  thee  a  rose." 

Master  Davenport  went  out,  but  it  was  to 
hide  his  tears  that  Hope  might  not  see  them. 
He  knew  not  which  were  the  happier,  Hope 
Marston  or  himself ;  but  there  was  a  feeling 
of  joy  in  his  soul  that  he  had  not  known  for 
many  a  day.  When  he  had  composed  him- 
self, he  picked  a  rose  from  the  bush  that  Abi- 
gail had  set  by  the  garden  wall  the  year  be- 
fore, and  returned  to  the  sick  room. 

"  That  little  bird  must  know  how  much  I 
love  to  hear  him,"  said  Hope.  "  He  comes 
there  every  day  and  keeps  me  company. 
How  pretty  !  Are  there  many  out  by  the 
wall?" 

"  Ay,  the  bush  droops  with  the  weight  of 
blossoms.  Will  I  raise  thee  up  so  thou  canst 
see? " 

4 '  If  it  would  not  be  a  trouble." 

The  minister  lifted  her  to  a  sitting  position, 
and  she  looked  out. 

"  Thou  art  very  kind  to  me,"  she  said,  as 


320  THE  REGICIDES. 

he  laid  her  down  again.  "  Do  I  not  trouble 
thee  too  much?  " 

"  No,  my  daughter,  but  I  must  leave  thee 
now  for  a  little.  Try  if  thou  canst  not  get 
some  sleep,  and  I  will  return  in  an  hour." 

"  I  thank  thee,  and  will  be  patient,"  said 
Hope,  and  wondering  at  her  own  peace  of 
mind,  she  closed  her  eyes  and  fell  asleep. 

Master  Davenport  had  scarcely  passed  out 
of  sight  when  Martha  Malbon  came  up  with 
a  handful  of  roses.  She  saw  no  one  about, 
and  stole  into  Hope's  room.  Seeing  her 
asleep,  she  left  them  on  the  stand  where  she 
would  see  them  on  waking.  As  she  was  leav- 
ing the  front  steps  she  met  Marston  coming 
around  the  house. 

"  What  hast  thou  done,  strange  girl  ?  "  he 
demanded  sternly. 

"  Only  put  a  few  flowers  where  she  could 
find  them,"  replied  Martha,  half  terrified. 

"Take  them  away!"  ordered  Marston. 
"Her  mind  shall  not  be  seduced  by  the 
devil  in  the  shape  of  a  flower.  Go  and  get 
them!" 

"  But  she  loves  them  so  !"  pleaded  Martha. 

"  Take  them  away,  I  say  !  "  cried  Marston 
angrily,  and  the  girl  went  back  and  brought 
the  roses  out. 


THE  REGICIDES.  321 

"  Bring  them  here  !  "  he  commanded. 

Martha  handed  them  to  him,  and  he  threw 
them  on  the  ground  and  stamped  on  them  as 
though  they  had  been  vipers. 

"  Go,  and  come  not  here  again  !  "  he  cried, 
working  himself  into  a  passion,  and  the 
demented  girl  crept  away. 

"  That  girl  is  possessed  of  a  devil !  "  said 
Marston  to  himself  after  she  had  gone.  ' '  They 
never  whipped  it  out  of  her. ' ' 

The  minister  had  hoped  to  find  Abigail  at 
the  parsonage,  but  concluded  that  Master 
Pierson's  condition  was  not  yet  such  as  to 
warrant  her  leaving.  He  told  his  wife  and 
son  that  the  end  might  come  at  any  time,  and 
asked  them  to  walk  over  to  Marston's  with 
him.  He  desired  John  to  look  after  the 
schoolmaster,  for  he  feared  an  insane  frenzy 
might  seize  him  at  a  critical  time. 

Marston  was  pacing  to  and  fro  in  the  yard 
when  they  arrived.  He  said  Hope  had  not 
yet  waked.  Master  Davenport  and  the  mis- 
tress went  in,  and  their  footfalls  caused  the 
the  sleeper  to  move  slightly.  They  tiptoed 
softly  to  the  bedside  and  listened  to  the 
breathing,  which  seemed  to  be  growing  short. 
One  of  Hope's  hands  lay  outside  the  coverlet, 
and  the  minister  touched  it.  Without  speak- 


322  THE  REGICIDES. 

ing  he  went  for  Marston  and  John.  Both 
came  and  stood  at  the  foot  of  the  bed.  There 
seemed  to  be  some  indications  of  an  approach- 
ing struggle,  and  the  minister  took  the  little 
white  hands  in  his  as  he  bent  over  the  bed. 
The  eyes  remained  closed,  but  the  lips  moved 
as  if  trying  to  speak,  and  he  bent  lower. 

"The  waters  are  deep,"  Hope  whispered, 
' '  and  I  see  mother  standing  on  the  other 
side.  Let  me — hold  thy  hand— while — I — 
step — across." 

And  with  her  hand  laid  trustingly  in  his 
she  crossed  the  dark  river. 

As  soon  as  it  was  over,  John  quietly  left  the 
room  and  sought  the  outside  air.  A  feeling 
of  faintness  had  come  over  him,  and  his  emo- 
tions were  so  violent  that  he  wished  to  be 
alone.  He  went  to  the  barn  and  saddled  his 
horse,  and  in  a  few  moments  was  riding  at 
full  gallop  toward  Branford.  When  he  ar- 
rived at  the  parsonage,  Master  Pierson  was 
sitting  propped  up  with  pillows  in  the  yard, 
but  Abigail  had  gone  to  Saybrook  with  Abra- 
ham. John  announced  Hope's  death,  and 
risked  permission  to  write  a  note  to  Abigail. 
'Master  Pierson  invited  him  to  use  the  study, 
but  thought  it  took  him  a  long  time.  In  fact 
it  was  nearly  sundown  when  John  reappeared 


THE  REGICIDES.  323 

with  a  sealed  packet  in  his  hand,  which  he 
requested  might  be  given  to  Abigail,  and 
hastened  away.  The  minister  noticed  when 
he  had  gone  that  the  packet  was  tear-stained. 

"His  eyes  looked  red,  as  though  he  had 
been  weeping,"  he  said  to  Abigail  when  she 
returned.  "  The  child,  I  believe,  was  a  great 
pet  of  his." 

Abigail  took  John's  letter  to  her  room  and 
read  it  through  her  tears.  This  is  what  he 
had  written : 

THE   SICK   CHILD. 

In  a  low  brown  cottage  the  sick  child  lay, 
(But  the  beautiful  sunshine  warmed  it  all) — 

The  little  bird  sang  in  the  tree  all  day, 

And  the  roses  bloomed  by  the  garden  wall. 

No  lily  was  paler  or  sweeter  fair 

Than  the  babyish  face  so  wan  and  small, 

As  the  beautiful  sunshine  kissed  her  hair, 
And  the  roses  bloomed  by  the  garden  wall. 

It  was  long  ago  in  a  sad  sweet  May 
That  the  mother  answered  the  Master's  call ; 

Now  the  child  was  lonely  the  long,  long  day, 
Though  the  roses  bloomed  by  the  garden  wall. 

She  sometimes  thought  of  the  far  off  land 

Where  the  mother  yearned  for  the  helpless  call ; 

Where  the  streets  were  covered  with  golden  sand, 
And  the  roses  bloomed  by  the  garden  wall. 


324  THE  REGICIDES. 

But  the  days  would  come  and  the  days  would  go, 
And  the  breast  would  heave  and  the  tears  would 

fall— 
O  heavy  the  weight  of  this  childish  woe, 

While  the  roses  bloomed  by  the  garden  wall ! 
»•»***# 

In  the  darkened  room  where  the  sick  child  lay 
Iso  glimmer  of  sunshine  kisses  the  pall ; 

But  the  little  bird  sings  in  the  tree  all  day, 
And  the  roses  bloom  by  the  garden  wall. 

The  next  morning  Marston  went  to  the  shed 
in  the  rear  of  the  house,  selected  a  wide  board, 
and  made  a  rough  coffin.  He  then  notified 
Mistress  Davenport  that  he  was  ready,  and 
she  went  over  and  laid  the  little  body  in  the 
box  that  Marston  had  made.  This  being 
done  he  took  a  shovel  from  the  shed,  and 
without  saying  a  word  went  to  the  graveyard 
back  of  the  meeting-house.  In  the  course  of 
an  hour  he  had  dug  an  irregular  hole  large 
enough  to  admit  Hope's  coffin,  and  returned 
to  the  house.  There  was  nobody  around,  and 
he  went  to  the  room  where  the  body  lay. 
The  lid  stood  by  the  side  of  the  table  on 
which  the  coffin  had  been  laid,  and  Marston 
took  it  and  put  it  in  its  place.  Then  he  went 
to  the  shed  for  hammer  and  nails.  In  a  mo- 
ment he  came  back,  fitted  the  lid  squarely 


IT   WAS   JONATHAN   MARSTON   SOBBING" — p.  325 


THE  REGICIDES.  325 

along  the  edges,  and  nailed  it  down.  The 
perspiration  stood  out  on  his  face,  and  he  took 
his  handkerchief  and  wiped  it  away.  Never 
a  tear  had  he  shed  in  all  this  time. 

After  resting  a  little,  Marston  threw  off  his 
coat,  lifted  the  coffin  in  his  arms,  and  carried 
it  to  the  graveyard.  In  half  an  hour  his  work 
was  done,  and  he  returned  to  his  childless 
home.  He  sat  in  his  room  the  rest  of  the 
day,  utterly  refusing  the  minister's  invitation 
to  sup.  No  one  else  went  to  see  him.  No 
friend  clasped  his  hand  in  sympathy.  He 
was  as  much  alone  as  though  he  had  been 
the  onl}-  man  on  earth. 

Master  Davenport  had  a  sick  call  to  make 
that  evening  a  mile  out  of  the  village,  and  on 
his  late  return  a  sound  in  the  rear  of  the 
meeting-house  attracted  his  attention.  It  was 
something  unusual,  and  he  drew  near  to 
listen.  It  was  Jonathan  Marston  sobbing  on 
Hope's  grave. 


326  THE  REGICIDES. 


XXXI. 

Brockton  the  vigilant  always  slept  with  one 
eye  open,  and  when  that  eye  became  tired  he 
would  shut  it  and  open  the  other.  For  a 
whole  year  he  watched  and  waited  and  cogi- 
tated. Everybody  else  said  the  generals  had 
left  the  colony,  that  it  was  ridiculous  to  think 
otherwise  after  all  that  had  happened.  But 
Brockton  had  been  fooled  once,  and  was  not 
of  those  who  can  see  only  what  lies  on  the 
surface.  He  weighed  the  situation  carefully, 
and  concluded  that  their  last  disappearance 
was  only  to  seek  a  securer  hiding-place.  He 
saw  what  his  adversaries  in  this  game  of 
hide-and-seek  too  clearly  realized — that  there 
was  nowhere  else  for  them  to  go.  And  if 
they  were  still  within  the  limits  of  the  colony 
he  felt  confident  of  his  ability  to  locate  them 
in  time. 

After  conducting  his  operations  for  several 
months  by  openly  questioning  those  liable  to 
possess  information,  he  suddenly  changed  his 
tactics  and  pretended  not  to  be  searching  for 
the  fugitives  at  all.  He  took  pains  to  attend 
all  the  town  meetings  and  general  trainings, 
and  loudly  protest  that  the  generals  had 


THE  REGICIDES.  327 

finally  gone  away.  He  specially  cultivated 
tavern  loungers,  and  by  dogmatic  assertion 
strove  to  draw  out  an  opposition  sentiment. 
This  course  patiently  persevered  in  finally 
began  to  bear  fruit.  Old  Gaffer  Simpson, 
who  seldom  left  the  taproom  of  the  Guilford 
tavern,  except  to  eat  and  sleep,  and  who  cher- 
ished an  especial  dislike  toward  the  consta- 
ble, one  evening  let  drop  a  hint  that  the  fug- 
itives were  in  the  vicinity  of  Milford.  That 
was  as  far  as  he  could  be  induced  to  go. 
Brockton  tried  every  means  to  make  the  old 
man  say  something  more  definite  by  ridicul- 
ing the  idea,  but  Gaffer  could  be  mysterious 
on  occasion  as  well  as  Brockton,  and  he  pos- 
itively insisted  upon  being  so  now.  Instead 
of  yielding  up  more  hints,  he  railed  Brockton 
on  his  failure  to  find  the  generals,  with  all 
England  at  his  back,  and  by  his  keen  prods, 
managed  to  get  the  wary  constable  consider- 
ably riled. 

When  Brockton  saw  no  hope  of  further 
success  with  Gaffer,  he  revolved  the  solitary 
hint  in  his  mind  for  a  few  days,  and  ended 
his  deliberations  by  going  to  Milford  and 
loafing  about  the  tavern.  He  kept  this  up  a 
week  without  result,  then  took  to  strolling 
about  the  village,  ostensibly  to  do  a  bit  of 


328  THE  REGICIDES. 

electioneering.  This  brought  him  in  the 
course  of  time  in  contact  with  every  man  in 
Milford,  but  he  found  no  one  ready  to  oppose 
his  theory  that  the  fugitives  had  departed. 
He  several  times  took  occasion  to  mention 
Gaffer  Simpson's  hint,  at  the  same  time 
scouting  the  idea,  but  could  get  no  further 
light.  He  was  about  to  give  up  the  quest 
when  a  farm-hand  by  the  name  of  Gansby 
came  to  the  tavern  and  whispered  in  his  ear 
that  for  a  proper  consideration  he  would  tell 
where  he  thought  the  men  were  hidden. 
Brockton's  emotions  at  that  moment  gave 
him  some  trouble,  but  with  a  calmness  that 
surprised  him  he  laughed  in  the  man's  face. 
All  his  arts  were  unavailing,  however,  to  get 
another  step  in  that  direction.  ' '  Money  first, 
business  afterwards,"  said  Gansby. 

Brockton  went  home  and  laid  the  matter 
before  Governor  lyeete.  The  governor  flatly 
refused  to  have  anything  to  do  with  it.  He 
said  the  whole  thing  had  brought  him  noth- 
ing but  vexation  and  enemies,  and  he  had 
had  quite  enough. 

And  so  it  came  to  pass  that  Brockton  sad- 
dled his  horse  one  fine  September  morning, 
and  pulled  the  left  rein  for  Boston. 

In  the  meantime  John's  new  house   was 


THE  REGICIDES.  329 

receiving  final  touches,  and  in  a  few  weeks 
was  to  be  ready.  The  sound  of  hammers, 
usually  annoying  to  Abigail,  was  now  sweet 
music  to  her  ears.  In  fact  there  had  not 
been  a  step  in  the  progress  of  building  that 
she  had  not  followed  with  interest.  The 
raising,  in  particular,  was  a  thing  that  had 
fascinated  her.  Half  the  men  in  town  drop- 
ping their  work  to  come  and  put  her  house 
together  in  an  afternoon  made  her  feel  that 
each  one  was  John's  personal  friend.  It  is 
quite  certain  that  as  she  stood  behind  a  rude 
bench  serving  refreshments  and  exchanging 
compliments  when  the  raising  was  over, 
every  unmarried  man  present  wished  he  were 
Judge  Davenport.  When  all  had  eaten  and 
drunk,  and  John  was  called  upon  for  the 
inevitable  New  England  "raising  speech," 
she  felt  scared.  She  had  never  heard  him  do 
a  thing  like  that,  and  somehow  thought  he 
would  either  break  down  entirely  or  flounder 
about  without  getting  anywhere  in  particular. 
But  John  had  expected  it,  and  had  his  im- 
promptu ready.  When  they  returned  home 
she  threw  her  arms  around  his  neck  and  said 
he  was  the  most  eloquent  man  in  New  Haven 
Colony,  and  John  after  reflecting  a  little 


33°  THE  REGICIDES. 

thought  she  might  be  right,  but  told  her  not 
to  say  anything  about  it  outside. 

The  marriage  was  set  for  a  day  in  the  late 
fall.  Abigail  found  both  delight  and  fatigue 
in  the  preparations,  for  the  house  was  large, 
and  everything  was  to  be  new.  John  was  so 
taken  up  with  his  judicial  duties,  which  car- 
ried him  into  most  of  the  colonial  towns,  that 
the  time  arrived  almost  before  he  could  real- 
ize it. 

' '  There  must  be  plenty  of  wooden  trench- 
ers," he  said  to  Abigail  on  the  morning  of 
the  wedding  day,  as  they  were  kindling  a  fire 
on  one  of  the  hearths.  "  A  new  house  is  sel- 
dom without  guests." 

"  The  kettle  shall  alwa}rs  be  hanging  on 
the  crane,"  replied  Abigail,  smiling,  "  and  I 
hope  the  guests  will  be  many.  Thou  wilt  be 
lonesome,  I  fear,  with  none  but  me  for  com- 
pany." 

John  responded  by  putting  his  arms  about 
her  and  saying  various  ridiculous  things. 

' '  Then  perhaps  we  had  best  not  welcome 
the  guests,"  said  Abigail,  trying  to  disengage 
herself. 

"  No,  sweetheart,  let  everybody  come,  for 
I  want  all  the  world  to  see  my  little  wife." 

"  How  they  will  pity  thee  !  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  33 * 

"  Forbear,  cr  I  will  stop  thy  pretty  mouth 
with  a  kiss  !  " 

"  I  will  not  forbear,  and  thou  canst  not 
carry  out  thy  threat !  "  cried  Abigail,  starting 
to  run  around  the  chimney. 

But  John  was  fleet  as  well  as  strong. 

On  their  way  back  to  the  parsonage  they 
met  three  horsemen  moving  slowly  up  the 
street.  John  paid  no  particular  attention  at 
first,  but  Abigail  recognized  Brockton,  and 
then  he  noticed  that  the  others  were  Kellond 
and  Kirke. 

"What  can  they  be  doing  here?"  ex- 
claimed Abigail,  catching  John's  arm,  and 
looking  back  at  the  men. 

"They  bode  no  good  thing,"  he  replied, 
shutting  his  teeth  tightly  ;  and  as  soon  as  he 
reached  home  he  told  the  minister. 

As  for  the  horsemen,  they  were  in  high 
spirits.  Brockton  grinned  when  he  saw  the 
dismay  their  appearance  had  caused. 

' '  There  will  be  longer  faces  hereabout  ere 
the  morrow,"  he  chuckled.  "We  have 
waited  long,  but  our  time  hath  come  !  " 

"  '  The  viligant  man  shall  be  rewarded,'  as 
the  proverb  saith,"  observed  Kirke. 

"Dost  thou  mean  diligent  or  vigilant?" 


33 2  THE  REGICIDES. 

inquired  Brockton,  with  something  of  a  sneer 
at  Kirke'smispronounciation. 

"  I  mean  what  I  say,  sir,  and  I  will  thank 
thee  not  to  correct  thy  betters,"  returned 
Kirke,  turning  his  attention  to  Kellond. 

Brockton  remained  quiet,  but  consoled  him- 
self with  the  thought  that  if  his  associates 
became  too  overbearing  he  had  the  means 
wherewith  to  bring  them  to  terms. 

As  soon  as  they  reached  the  outskirts  of 
Milford  they  hunted  up  Gansby.  Brockton 
called  him  one  side  and  announced  that  his 
companions  were  special  messengers  of  the 
king,  and  that  they  were  ready  to  receive  his 
information. 

"  Very  well,"  said  Gansby,  "  I  am  ready." 

"  Give  us  thy  information,  and  thou  shalt 
be  well  paid,"  continued  Brockton.  "  Thou 
art  coming  close  to  the  person  of  the  king  in 
this  matter." 

Gansby  grinned. 

"  Takest  thou  me  for  a  fool  ?  Look  I  like 
one  who  would  make  thy  fortune  first,  and 
then  find  myself  still  a  beggar?  Where  is 
thy  purse  ?  ' ' 

"  I  give  thee  my  word  as  a  man  of  honor 
that  thou  shalt  be  well  treated  for  this," 
urged  Brockton.  "  But  what  assurance  have 


THE  REGICIDES,  333 

we  that  thy  knowledge  is  anything  but  an 
idle  guess  that  will  lead  us  into  folly  ?  " 

Gansby  started  to  walk  away,  but  Brock- 
ton caught  him  by  the  arm. 

"Tell  me  what  thou  knowest,  and  thou 
shalt  have  ten  pounds  in  good  red  gold  before 
thou  stirrest,"  pleaded  Brockton,  still  keep- 
ing his  hold. 

' '  Thou  must  be  either  a  fool  or  a  damned 
rascal!"  exclaimed  Gansby,  shaking  his 
arm  free.  "  What  dost  thou  want,  to  buy 
my  knowings  for  ten  pounds  and  sell  'em  for 
five  hundred  ?  If  so,  thou  hast  put  thy  salt 
on  the  wrong  bird's  tail !  " 

"  I  meant  not  that,"  said  Brockton  meekly, 
though  there  was  a  wonderful  lack  of  sin- 
cerity in  his  tone. 

"Thou  meanest  naught  else,  or  I'm  a 
green  idiot!"  retorted  Gansby.  "Tell  me, 
what  reward  hath  the  king  offered  ?  " 

' '  Two  hundred  pounds  to  the  one  that 
gives  information  that  leads  to  their  capture, 
but  that  information  must  be  sound.  That 
sum  of  money  is  not  to  be  thrown  away  on 
guesswork." 

' '  And  how  much  dost  thou  and  the  others 
get  ?  ' '  asked  Gansby,  the  greed  showing  in 
his  eyes. 


334  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  That  niattereth  not  to  thee,"  replieu 
Brockton.  "The  sum  named  is  too  much 
for  the  little  trouble  thou  hast  taken  !  ' ' 

Gansby  was  as  cool  and  calculating  as 
Brockton,  and  as  little  likely  to  be  thrown  off 
his  guard. 

"Hast  thou  the  money  with  thee?"  he 
asked  finally. 

"  My  friends  have  the  gold  ready." 

"  Then  it  is  mine  !  "  cried  Gansby.  "Since 
thou  wert  here  I  have  made  good  my  sus- 
picions. In  half  an  hour  I  can  show  thee 
where  the  men  are  hidden  !  ' ' 

Brockton  gave  a  start.  This  positive  state- 
ment was  almost  too  much  for  him. 

"  If  thou  art  lying — well,  perchance  thoti 
knowest  the  result  of  giving  false  information 
to  the  king's  officers." 

Gansby  grinned,  and  this  reassured  Brock- 
ton. He  went  back  to  where  Kellond  and 
Kirke  stood  waiting,  and  made  known  the 
result  of  the  interview.  Then  Gansby  was 
brought  before  them  and  carefully  cross- 
examined.  After  two  hours'  parleying,  it 
was  agreed  to  give  the  sum  of  two  hundred 
pounds  in  gold  into  the  hand  of  Gansby,  and 
that  he  was  to  remain  in  their  company  until 
the  proof  was  secured.  In  case  his  informa- 


THE  REGICIDES.  335 

tion  turned  out  to  be  worthless,  he  was  to  con- 
sider himself  under  arrest  and  the  gold  for- 
feited. This  point  being  reached,  Gansby  had 
no  trouble  in  satisfying  them,  by  means  of 
several  reliable  witnesses,  that  the  generals 
were  hiding  in  the  cellar  of  Master  Tomp- 
kins'  house.  They  moved  cautiously,  how- 
ever, and  were  at  pains  to  do  all  their  investi- 
gating in  a  private  room  of  the  tavern,  and 
none  of  it  in  words  above  a  whisper.  Kellond 
wanted  to  take  a  look  at  the  premises,  but 
both  Kirke  and  Brockton  advised  against  it, 
lest  some  hint  be  given  of  their  intentions. 

"  Thou  art  right,"  said  Kellond,  on  reflec- 
tion. "  Now  for  the  warrant,  and  the  game 
will  be  bagged !  Thou  and  I,  Kirke,  must 
ride  back  to  Guilford  for  that.  The  governor 
wouldn't  issue  the  papers  until  we  could  show 
him  we  were  not  on  a  wild  goose  chase ! 
Well,  if  we  are  not  solid  this  time  he  can  call 
us  wild  geese  and  be  damned !  Have  a  sharp 
eye,  Brockton,  about  this  Thumpkins'  house, 
or  whatever  his  name  is,  and  keep  this  clod- 
hopper with  thee.  If  he  gets  away  with  that 
two  hundred  pounds,  thou  forfeitest  thy 
share,  and  the  blame  for  all  this  trouble  will 
be  on  thy  head  besides." 

"Fear  not,"    returned    Brockton.       "No 


336  THE  REGICIDES, 

man  ever  got  away  from  me  yet  when  once  I 
got  hold  of  his  collar.  I^ook  thee  here, 
Gansby,  wilt  thou  behave  like  a  decent  fel- 
low, or  must  I  knock  thee  down  a  few  times 
and  tread  on  thee  first  ?  ' ' 

"  Oh,  cool  thy  tongue  !  "  retorted  Gansby. 
"  There  is  naught  to  fear  from  me.  I  went 
not  into  this  to  play  the  sneak." 

"Here,"  said  Kirke,  taking  a  pistol  from 
his  waist  and  handing  it  over  to  Brockton, 
"this  is  no  time  to  dally.  Take  this,  and  if 
yon  clod  maketh  a  move  to  run  away,  blow 
out  what  few  brains  he  hath,  and  thou  wilt 
be  justified." 

Brockton  examined  the  firearm  and  gave 
Gansby  a  meaning  glance.  The  laborer 
grinned,  and  all  seemed  satisfied.  Then  they 
went  to  the  stable.  While  the  horses  were 
being  saddled,  Kirke  stood  guard  over 
Gansby,  and  Kellond  took  Brockton  aside. 

"We  wished  not  to  mention  our  pl-n 
before  this  fool,  lest  he  finally  betray  us," 
said  Kellond.  "  We  go  now  to  Guilford  for 
the  governor's  warrant.  He  will  grant  it 
when  he  hears  what  we  have  to  say.  By 
nine  o'clock  to-night  we  will  return  with  two 
extra  men  whom  the  governor  shall  select, 
and  proceed  at  once  to  surround  this  Slump- 


THE  REGICIDES.  337 

kin  house.  The  rest  will  be  easy.  Now  do 
thou  station  thyself  with  this  fellow  near  to 
the  premises,  where  thou  canst  see  who  comes 
or  goes.  If  any  leave,  follow  and  use  thy 
wits.  Above  all,  see  that  thou  art  not  played 
false  by  the  laborer." 

Brockton  and  Gansby  kept  their  watch  on 
the  house  from  a  neighboring  garden,  and 
their  task  was  the  more  easily  performed  as 
there  was  a  full  moon.  For  four  hours  they 
sat  cramped  up  behind  a  stone  wall,  and 
never  moved  except  to  go  to  the  tavern  once 
to  get  a  warming  beverage.  Brockton  had 
some  scruples  about  this,  but  the  Tompkins 
house  had  been  dark  for  more  than  an  hour, 
and  no  sound  or  movement  had  been  observed 
during  the  evening  that  was  at  all  out  of  the 
ordinary.  They  were  not  gone  above  ten 
minutes,  and  when  they  returned  everything 
appeared  as  before. 

At  a  little  past  nine  o'clock  the  click  of 
horse-shoes  was  heard  in  the  distance  upon 
the  high  road,  and  soon  four  horsemen  came 
riding  up  at  full  gallop. 

"  Is  all  well  ?  "  inquired  Kellond,  as  soon 
as  he  had  dismounted. 

"All  is  well,"  whispered  Brockton. 

4 'Is  the  clod  faithful?" 


338  THE  REGICIDES. 

"Ay,  as  I  am ;  and  there  hath  not  been  a 
stir  in  the  house  in  two  hours." 

"  Is  not  that  suspicious?  "  said  Kirke,who 
knew  little  of  the  local  customs. 

"  Nay,  these  people  always  go  to  bed  with 
the  chickens,  and  are  up  with  the  chickens  in 
the  morning." 

1 '  The  stingy  beggars  are  afraid  of  burning 
candles  '  ' '  said  Kirke.  ' '  Now  let  us  move 
quickly.  Kellond  hath  the  warrant  in  his 
pocket.  These  worthy  fellows  who  came 
with  us  will  stand  one  at  the  back  door  and 
the  other  at  the  north  window.  Do  thou, 
Brockton,  take  Gansby  and  guard  the  south 
window.  Kellond  and  I  will  cover  the  front 
door  and  arouse  this  most  excellent  Master 
Bumpkins,  whose  head  will  look  so  pretty  roll- 
ing in  a  basket  with  the  other  two." 

When  all  had  taken  their  places  Kellond 
Avaited  a  minute,  then  gave  a  mighty  knock 
( ..  the  door. 

"  Halloa  there,  within  !  "  he  shouted  at  the 
top  of  his  voice.  "Open,  I  command  thee, 
in  the  king's  name  !  " 

After  keeping  this  up  for  some  time  he 
succeeded  in  bringing  Master  Tompkins,  par- 
tially dressed,  to  the  door  with  a  candle. 

"  What  dost  thou  want,  my  good  masters, 


THE  REGICIDES.  339 

at  this  time  of  the  night?"  he  inquired, 
blinking  his  eyes  as  if  trying  to  take  in  the 
unusual  situation. 

' '  We  want  two  men  whom  thou  hast  con- 
cealed in  thy  cellar,  fugitives  from  England, 
and  the  sooner  thou  conductest  us  to  them  the 
better  for  thy  rascally  pate." 

Tompkins  looked  first  at  one  and  then  at 
the  other. 

"  Thou  must  be  mistaken,"  he  said  mildly. 
"  By  what  authority  dost  thou  disturb  my 
household,  when  honest  business  can  be  done 
as  well  in  the  daytime  ?  " 

' '  By  authority  of  the  governor  of  the  col- 
ony, Master  William  L,eete,"  replied  Kellond, 
drawing  the  warrant  from  an  inner  pocket 
and  displaying  it.  "Now  stand  aside  and 
allow  us  to  pass." 

The  two  pushed  by  the  bewildered  Tomp- 
kins, and  so  excited  were  those  who  had 
been  stationed  outside,  that  they  all  came 
trooping  after. 

' '  Show  us  the  cellar  stairs  !  ' '  thundered 
Kellond. 

Tompkins  showed  some  reluctance,  but  led 
them  to  the  cellar  door  and  opened  it. 

"  Hold  thy  candle  steady  now,  and  precede 
us." 


340  THE  REGICIDES. 

Brockton  always  maintained  until  his  dying 
day,  that  as  Tompkins  started  to  go  down  the 
stairs,  his  teeth  chattered  and  the  candle 
shook  in  his  hands. 

After  reaching  the  bottom  they  saw  in  one 
corner  a  pile  of  skins,  and  on  approaching 
closer  discerned  the  uncovered  heads  of  two 
men  next  the  wall. 

"Ah,  we  have  them  now!"  exclaimed 
Kellond  fiercely.  "  Seize  the  regicides  !  " 

And  Brockton  and  the  two  GuiKordites 
secured  the  sleeper?  as  they  lay. 


XXXII. 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  John  and 
Abigail  walked  over  to  the  house  of  Master 
Gilbert,  and  before  him,  as  a  magistrate  of 
the  colony,  entered  into  a  civil  contract  of 
marriage.*  When  they  returned  to  the  par- 
sonage, Abigail  was  unusually  demure  and 
quiet,  but  the  mistress  thought  John  a  trifle 
more  hilarious  than  became  a  Puritan  and  r» 
judge.  He  played  all  sorts  of  undignified 
pranks,  and  ended  by  lifting  Abigail  up  and 
standing  her  on  a  high  stool,  and  insisting  on 

*  See  Appendix  I.. 


THE  REGICIDES.  34* 

his  mother  falling  down  and  paying  homage 
to  the  new  queen.  Abigail  protested,  and 
jumped  off  the  stool. 

"  What  would  the  people  of  this  town  think 
if  they  saw  thee  !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  Thou 
shalt  not  be  allowed  at  the  house-warming 
to-night  unless  thou  behavest  better  than 
this." 

"  This  is  but  practice,"  replied  John,  set- 
ting the  stool  on  the  table.  "  In  the  evening, 
when  all  the  guests  have  arrived,  I  intend  to 
put  the  new  mistress  on  the  table  in  the  big 
room,  and  make  every  man,  woman  and  child 
present  bow  the  knee  to  her." 

"Imagine  Abraham!"  said  Abigail, 
laughing,  and  turning  to  Mistress  Davenport: 
' '  Must  we  not  go  and  help  arrange  for  the 
house-warming  ?  The  guests  are  to  come  at 
six  o'clock." 

"  Nay,  Mistress  Jones  and  half  a  dozen 
others  are  looking  after  that.  Give  thyself 
no  care.  But  I  must  go  over  soon  and  take 
the  Turkey  carpet  for  the  parlor  table.  Thou 
mayest  come  too,  and  look  on." 

"And  I  will  be  useful,  too.  Let  me  have 
something  to  carry  and  arrange.  Also  give 
John  something  heavy  to  carry,  that  he  may 
quit  his  antics." 


342  THE  REGICIDES. 

The  new  house  was  full  of  bustle  and  prep- 
aration when  they  arrived.  The  hearths 
were  already  blazing,  for  the  weather  was 
crisp,  and  candles  set  in  every  room  ready  to 
be  lighted.  In  the  kitchen  the  great  brick 
oven  was  near  to  bursting  with  savory  things, 
and  Mistress  Jones  was  flitting  here  and 
there  superintending  the  setting  of  the  long 
tables.  She  stopped  to  welcome  the  bride 
and  groom,  then  led  Abigail  to  the  oven  and 
opened  the  iron  door.  A  steaming  odor  of 
baking  meats  whiffed  out  into  their  faces. 

4 '  Think  you  there  is  enough  for  all  ?  "  in- 
quired the  new  housewife,  stepping  back, 
while  Mistress  Jones  shut  the  door.  ' '  The 
guests  will  be  many." 

"  Plenty  and  more,"  replied  the  mistress. 
4 '  John  hath  burdened  the  pantry  shelves  un- 
til they  fairly  groan  from  the  weight.  Thou 
hast  married  a  good  provider. ' ' 

They  went  all  over  the  house,  even  to  the 
garret  and  cellar,  saying  how  strange  it  all 
seemed. 

4<I  am  only  fearing,"  said  Abigail,  when 
they  were  standing  at  the  top  of  the  broad 
staircase,  "that  I  shall  wake  bye  and  bye 
and  find  it  all  a  dream.  And  then  how  sad 
it  will  be!  " 


THE  REGICIDES.  343 

"  No,  little  sweetheart,  it  is  not  a  dream," 
replied  John,  putting  an  arm  around  her 
waist  and  drawing  her  to  him.  "I  have 
been  rubbing  my  eyes  and  pinching  myself  all 
the  afternoon,  and  am  now  fully  satisfied  that 
we  are  awake." 

Abigail  looked  up  into  his  face  in  a  way 
that  made  John  mentally  return  thanks  that 
the  situation  were  real  beyond  any  possibility 
of  mistake. 

They  entered  the  spinning-room,  which 
Abigail  had  not  seen,  promising  to  avoid  it 
until  this  time.  Right  in  front  of  the  door 
stood  a  new  reel  and  spindle,  and  about  the 
room  were  arranged  some  of  the  wheels  she, 
as  a  child,  had  seen  her  mother  use.  The 
sudden  sight  of  them  caused  her  to  turn  to  a 
window  while  she  choked  down  a  little  sob 
that  tried  to  struggle  up  into  her  throat. 

"Thou  wert  very  good,"  she  said,  when 
she  had  recovered  herself.  "And  how  was 
it  all  done  without  my  knowing  it  ?  " 

"  Thy  father  suggested  it,  and  we  had  thee 
busy  elsewhere  when  they  came." 

When  the  inspection  was  finally  over  and 
they  had  returned  to  the  parsonage,  they 
found  Master  Pierson  and  Abraham  in  the 
sitting-room  with  the  minister. 


344  THE  REGICIDES. 

"And  where  is  Cousin  Nancy?"  asked 
Abigail,  when  she  had  welcomed  her  father 
and  brother. 

"She  feeleth  not  well,"  replied  Master 
Pierson,  avoiding  his  daughter's  eyes.  "Thy 
brother  urged  her  to  come,  but  she  would 
not,  saying  the  chilly  air  and  the  sleeping 
between  strange  sheets  might  aggravate  her. 
But  how  is  thy  new  house  ?  Remember,  we 
have  not  seen  it  since  the  roof  was  on." 

"  Oh,  it  is  the  loveliest  house  ever  was !  " 
replied  Abigail  enthusiastically. 

"  Thou  meanest  it  is  to  thee  the  loveliest," 
corrected  her  father  gently.  "  Well,  may  it 
always  seem  so  !  " 

After  visiting  a  little  while,  Abigail  went 
to  her  room  to  dress.  With  the  mistress' 
help  the  ordeal  was  gone  through  in  so  rea- 
sonable a  time,  that,  should  it  be  mentioned, 
there  would  be  doubts  raised  in  some  quarters 
as  to  the  accuracy  of  this  history.  And  no 
such  suspicion  must  be  allowed  to  even  whis- 
per. 

"  Behold  the  wedding  gown  !  "  exclaimed 
John,  surveying  with  delighted  eyes  the 
vision  of  loveliness  that  finally  appeared  at 
the  foot  of  the  stairs.  "  Why  couldst  thou 
not  have  worn  it  when  we  went  to  Master 


THE  REGICIDES.  345 

Gilbert's?  Ah,  sly  maiden,  I  know  why! 
Thou  wert  afraid  it  might  cause  a  duel 
between  the  magistrate  and  a  certain  John 
Davenport." 

"That  would  never  do,"  put  in  Mistress 
Davenport.  "The  gown  is  for  the  house- 
warming,  and  not  for  the  contract." 

"But  would  it  not  have  looked  well?" 
said  Abigail,  her  eyes  sparkling  with  pleasure. 

"  Ay,"  said  John,  looking  on  with  admira- 
tion, "  but  it  is  better  that  thou  didst  not 
\vear  it ;  I  could  not  have  forborne  to  embrace 
thee,  even  on  the  street." 

"John,  thou  wert  ever  given  to  nonsense," 
chided  his  mother.  ' '  How  can  ever  thy 
tongue  be  kept  in  harness  while  trying  cases 
of  serious  import  ?  ' ' 

"Unlike  some  judges,  I  utter  all  my  non- 
sense off  the  bench,"  replied  the  jurist 
gravely. 

They  formed  a  little  procession  and  walked 
over  to  the  new  house,  John  and  Abigail 
going  before,  then  the  minister  and  Master 
Pierson,  while  the  mistress  and  Abraham 
came  after. 

The  guests  began  to  come  early,  and  by 
half-past  six  the  generous  rooms  were  filled. 
The  new  host  and  hostess  stood  near  the 


346  THE  REGICIDES. 

center  of  the  big  room,  and  received  their 
friends.  It  seemed  as  though  there  could  not 
have  been  so  many  people  in  the  town,  and 
Abigail  was  proud  to  see  how  highly  J^hn 
was  respected,  and  how  sincere  were  the  con- 
gratulations and  good  wishes  that  were 
bestowed. 

"  Master  Jones  hath  made  no  complaint 
against  John  Beasley,  I  hear,"  said  Richard 
Sperry,  when  for  a  moment  the  big  room  was 
free  of  guests.  "  And  I  am  glad  to  know  it. 
Beasley  hath  a  sad  infirmity,  and  it  is  for 
stronger  men  not  to  regard  him  too  harshly." 

"Thou  art  right,  Master  Sperry,"  replied 
John.  "I  advised  him  to  let  the  matter 
drop.  We  are  apt  to  measure  the  faults  of 
others  by  the  annoyance  they  cause  ourselves. 
No  man  can  rightfully  judge  another  until  he 
can  look  into  his  heart  and  see  what  prompt- 
ings lie  there.  Master  Jones  is  generous, 
but  he  is  greatly  aggravated,  and  naturally 
so." 

Fresh  arrivals  came  in  at  the  door  and 
pressed  forward  to  pay  their  compliments, 
and  Sperry  sought  the  minister. 

"Ay,  there  is  danger  in  Milford  this 
night!"  said  Master  Davenport,  when  they 
had  gone  together  to  an  upper  room.  "  This 
Brockton  fellow  hath  brought  the  Englishmen 


THE  REGICIDES.  347 

back,  and  all  three  hounds  are  on  the  scent. 
Tompkins  hath  had  fair  notice  that  there  was 
mischief  in  the  wind  ever  since  Brockton 
hung  about  the  town  so  long  a-prying." 

' '  Tompkins  told  me  yesterday,"  said  Sperry, 
"  that  since  Brockton  had  disappeared  he  had 
knowledge  of  his  going  to  Boston,  and  so  was 
ready  to  act  the  minute  he  reappeared. 
Whether  he  knoweth  of  their  sudden  advent 
this  afternoon,  I  can  not  learn.  Brockton  is 
crafty,  and  may  know  more  than  appears." 

"It  hath  been  arranged,  as  thou  knowest, 
that  the  generals  shall  go  to  Hadley,  and 
they  were  to  start  this  very  night." 

"Nay,  Tompkins  said  not  so,  yet  I  saw 
him  but  for  an  instant.  And  where  may 
Hadley  be?" 

"On  the  extreme  northwestern  frontier  of 
Massachusetts.  Master  Russell,  the  most 
excellent  minister  of  the  place,  hath  agreed 
to  receive  them  into  his  house  until  all  this 
trouble  bloweth  over.  It  is  safer  than  remain- 
ing here,  after  all  that  hath  occurred,  but  rny 
fear  now  is  that  they  will  be  taken  unawares 
before  they  can  get  started." 

"  I  pray  not,  and  I  rejoice  for  thy  sake  that 
this  change  hath  been  made.  It  will  free  thee 
from  all  danger  as  well  as  them." 


348  THE  REGICIDES, 

"Ah,  but  it  is  not  over  yet.  We  may  be 
overwhelmed  at  any  moment.  We  can  only 
be  prepared  for  what  cometh,  be  it  good  or 
ill.  But  say  naught  of  this  to  my  son.  His 
happiness  must  not  be  marred  by  apprehen- 
sion. I  assured  him  this  afternoon — may 
God  forgive  me — that  the  coming  of  these 
men  really  meant  no  ill  to  us." 

When  they  descended  the  staircase  the 
guests  were  moving  toward  the  great  kitchen, 
and  already  most  of  the  chairs  were  filled. 
The  sitting-room,  too,  had  been  provided  with 
improvised  tables,  and  soon  half  the  people 
were  seated.  Then  Master  Pierson  stood  in 
the  doorway  between  the  two  rooms,  with 
arms  extended,  and  invoked  the  divine  bless- 
ing on  all  present.  As  soon  as  he  had  done 
the  clatter  of  tongues  began,  while  the 
trenchers  were  being  filled  and  passed. 

John  and  Abigail  sat  at  the  middle  of  the 
main  table  in  the  kitchen,  a  picture  of  perfect 
domestic  content.  Now  and  then  a  satisfied 
guest  would  arise  from  his  place  and  seek  the 
company  in  the  other  rooms,  hinting  to  the 
first  one  he  met  that  there  was  a  vacant  seat. 

Upstairs  the  games  had  already  com- 
menced, games  that  brought  rosy-faced  young 
people  together  in  proper  and  becoming  atti- 


THE  REGICIDES.  349 

tudes.  The  "filthy  dalliance"  of  such  as 
"Copenhagen"  and  "The  Needle's  Eye" 
was  sternly  prohibited. 

In  the  kitchen,  as  soon  as  the  feast  was 
over,  the  gurgle  of  the  flip-iron  began  to  be 
heard,  and  the  hearts  of  men  were  made 
exceeding  glad  at  the  sound  thereof. 

But  all  things  must  end,  especially  Puritan 
house-warmings.  By  half-past  nine  every 
guest  had  passed  again  iu  review  through  the 
big  room,  and  shaken  hands  with  a  very 
genial  host  and  a  very  gracious  young 
hostess.  When  the  last  one  was  gone  and 
the  front  door  was  closed  and  barred,  John 
turned  to  his  bride. 

"At  last,  little  sweetheart !  "  he  said,  hold- 
ing her  at  arm's  length  and  looking  fondly 
into  her  eyes.  "And  art  thou  happy  ?  " 

"  Oh,  John,  thou  knowest  that  I  am,"  she 
replied,  letting  him  draw  her  to  his  side,  and 
laying  her  head  on  his  shoulder. 

They  went  hand  in  hand  over  the  house 
and  blew  out  the  candles.  Then,  while  Abi- 
gail went  to  take  a  last  peep  into  the  kitchen, 
John  drew  an  arm-chair  in  front  of  the  fire  in 
the  big  room  and  sat  down.  When  Abigail 
came  back  she  seated  herself  on  an  arm  of  the 
chair,  resting  an  elbow  on  his  shoulder. 


350  THE  REGICIDES. 

"  Our  own  fireside,  little  wife,"  said  John, 
taking  her  hand  and  bringing  her  arm  abont 
his  neck. 

The  logs  had  nearly  burned  out.  A  sud- 
den tumbling  of  the  last  stick  started  a  little 
blaze  that  threw  curious  shadows  on  the  wall, 
but  that  soon  died  away  ;  and  together  they 
sat  looking  at  the  whitening  embers.* 


XXXIII. 

Master  Davenport  left  the  scene  of  festivfty 
at  an  early  hour.  John's  happiness  had 
roused  two  opposite  and  conflicting  emotions 
in  his  breast.  One  was  of  joy  over  the  mar- 
riage of  his  only  son  to  the  one  whom  he 
would  himself  have  named ;  the  other  was 
caused  by  a  reminder  that  age  was  rapidly 
stealing  upon  him,  and  that  his  life  work  was 
nearly  done.  He  felt  an  unusual  weariness 
upon  him,  and  as  soon  as  he  reached  home 
he  went  to  his  study  and  dropped  into  a 
chair.  A  low  fire  was  smoldering  on  the 
hearth,  and  as  he  sat  there  and  gazed  at  the 
dying  embers  his  sadness  was  increased. 
Perhaps  they  suggested  something  about  the 


*See  Appendix  M. 


THE  REGICIDES.  351 

close  of  life,  when  the  embers  of  hope,  ambi- 
tion and  futile  effort  are  ready  to  fall  and  turn 
to  ashes.  But  if  a  dying  fire  is  prone  to 
cause  serious  moods,  it  has  also  the  power  to 
charm  away  sadness,  and  smooth  the  wrin- 
kles from  the  face  of  care. 

The  minister's  thoughts  became  retrospec- 
tive. They  traveled  rapidly  backward  over 
the  events  of  his  life,  which  then  seemed  so 
short  and  incomplete  !  In  a  few  minutes  he 
had  dropped  into  an  easy  slumber,  and  his 
head  had  fallen  a  little  to  one  side,  resting 
upon  his  hand.  The  mistress  came  and 
looked  in  at  the  door,  but  seeing  him  asleep 
went  away. 

He  had  scarcely  lost  consciousness  when 
he  was  dreaming  of  his  boyhood  in  England, 
joyous  and  exuberant,  full  of  ambition  to 
accomplish  some  great  work.  His  dream 
moved  over  his  school  and  college  days,  his 
early  marriage,  and  his  success  as  a  young 
preacher  in  L,ondon.  Then  there  rose  before 
him  the  picture  of  a  famous  trial,  the  trial  of 
a  king  by  his  own  subjects  for  high  crimes 
and  misdemeanors.  He  saw  the  great  hall 
of  William  Rufus  at  Westminster  filled  with 
earnest  and  determined  men.  At  one  end  sat 
a  bench  of  some  eighty  commissioners 


352  THE  REGICIDES. 

appointed  by  parliament  to  sit  in  judgment 
upon  the  prisoner ;  at  the  other  end  a  crowd 
of  spectators  and  halberdiers ;  and  in  the 
center  a  king,  noble  in  feature  and  bearing,  a 
faithful  husband  and  affectionate  father,  but 
perfidious,  reckless  and  tyrannical  in  public 
life — a  king  brought  to  bay  after  a  contest  of 
arms  by  a  long-suffering  and  outraged  people. 
He  saw  the  commissioners  in  consultation  at 
the  close  of  the  trial,  and  heard  the  solemn 
decree  pronounced,  that  Charles  Stuart,  king 
of  England,  an  enemy  of  his  people,  was 
guilty  of  the  crimes  charged  against  him,  and 
must  die  in  the  public  street  by  the  axe  of 
the  common  executioner.  He  saw  stern- 
browed  men  come  forward  and  sign  their 
names  to  the  death-warrant,  bluff  Oliver 
Cromwell  among  the  first,  then  his  cousin, 
Edward  Whalley,  and  his  friend  and  coun- 
sellor, William  Goffe.  He  saw  a  decade  of 
civil  and  religious  freedom  following,  with 
these  men  standing  high  in  the  councils  of 
the  nation.  Then  the  death  of  Cromwell, 
the  recovery  of  the  throne  by  the  Stuarts,  and 
the  imprisonment  and  execution  of  those 
Puritan  commissioners  who  did  not  flee. 

He  was  suddenly  roused  by  Mistress  Dav- 
enport gently  touching  him  on  the  shoulder. 


THE  REGICIDES.  353 

She  whispered  a  few  hurried  words  in  his 
ear,  and  in  a  minute  he  was  thoroughly 
awake. 

"  Draw  the  curtains,  and  then  bring  him 
here,"  said  the  minister,  "  and  see  that  the 
outside  doors  are  barred." 

As  he  stopped  to  smother  a  slight  blaze 
that  had  burst  out  in  one  corner  of  the  fire- 
place, his  hand  seemed  a  trifle  unsteady. 
It  may  have  been  from  the  sudden  waking, 
or  possibly  from  a  peculiar  foreboding. 

The  mistress  had  been  startled  by  the  sound 
of  a  galloping  horse  and  a  sudden  stopping  in 
front  of  the  door,  but  Master  Davenport  had 
not  heard  it.  He  was  not  surprised,  however, 
to  see  the  excited  and  almost  breathless  Jona- 
than Meigs  stand  before  him  in  the  dim  light 
of  the  glowing  coals. 

"  Tell  me  the  worst,  Meigs,"  said  the  min- 
ister. "  It  will  scarcely  be  news.  I  arn  pre- 
pared." 

"  There  is  no  mistake  this  time  ;  would  to 
God  there  might  be!"  said  Meigs,  taking 
hold  of  a  chair  while  he  panted  for  breath. 
"  I  have  within  an  hour  seen  them  led  away 
in  chains  by  the  Englishmen — chained  like 
felons!" 

"  Sit  thee  down  and  tell  me  about  it.     But 


354  THE  REGICIDES. 

first  say  if  there  be  still  any  hope  for  their 
escape." 

"  None  !  none !  It  is  too  late  !  The  Eng- 
lishmen are  riding  on  horseback  with  drawn 
pistols,  and  the  generals  are  guarded  on  foot 
by  Brockton  and  two  men  from  Guilford. 
All  are  heavily  armed,  and  are  as  good  as  an 
army  against  anything  we  might  do !  " 

The  minister  gave  a  groan,  and  stood  for  a 
moment  with  his  hands  covering  his  face. 

"  Go  on,  I  prithee,"  he  said  at  length,  sit- 
ting down  opposite  Meigs,  "and  spare  no 
detail.  We  may  yet  discover  a  flaw  in  their 
plans." 

"O  that  we  might!"  exclaimed  Meigs 
despondently.  "  But  these  jackals  are  keen, 
and  have  laid  their  trap  too  cunningly  to 
admit  of  hope.  I^et  us  rather  pray  heaven 
for  the  souls  of  our  friends,  and  for  the  safety 
of  good  Master  Tompkins." 

"  How  came  you  to  be  a  witness  to  this  ?  " 
inquired  Master  Davenport,  as  Meigs  seemed-, 
too  much  wrapped  in  gloomy  forebodings  to 
continue. 

"  When  Brockton  reappeared  in  Guilford 
with  these  Englishmen,  I  knew  at  once  that 
something  was  afoot.  I  saw  that  they  made 
a  short  stop  at  Governor  Leete's,  and  then 


THE  REGICTDES.  355 

left  at  full  gallop  for  the  westward.  It  so 
chanced  that  I  had  an  appointment  with  the 
governor  that  very  hour,  and  as  soon  as  they 
were  gone  I  made  bold  to  ask  if  aught  had 
happened  concerning  the  fugitive  judges,  it 
being  well  understood  that  they  were  long 
since  out  of  the  colony.  The  governor  was 
very  frank  with  me.  '  Meigs,'  he  said, 
'  Brockton  thinks  he  hath  located  them  and 
can  give  them  a  surprise.  I  told  him  and 
the  two  messengers  that  they  could  not  have 
my  warrant  until  I  had  positive  evidence  ; 
that  these  men — one  of  them  perhaps  the 
ablest  general  living — were  not  to  be  caught 
like  rabbits,  as  they  had  more  than  once 
proved ;  that  when  they  could  bring  me 
something  more  tangible  than  guesswork  I 
would  see  about  it.  And  I  will  say  this  to 
thee,  Meigs,' — and  the  governor  looked  very 
serious  when  he  said  this — '  if  my  duty  could 
be  done  consistently  with  it,  I  would  rather 
see  these  men  go  free  than  otherwise.  As 
William  I^eete  I  would  do  anything  I  could 
to  protect  them  ;  as  governor  of  this  colony  I 
must  issue  a  warrant  for  their  arrest  on  good 
and  sufficient  evidence.' 

"  I  went  about  my  business  heav)'  in  heart, 
for  I  knew  Brockton  to  be  no  fool,  and  sur- 


356  THE  REGICIDES. 

mised  that  he  knew  himself  to  be  on  a  sure 
trail.  I  tried  hard  to  contrive  some  way  to 
save  our  friends,  but  seemed  to  be  as  helpless 
as  a  child.  At  sundown  I  beheld  the  two 
Englishmen  ride  into  the  governor's  door- 
yard,  their  horses  covered  with  foam  and 
themselves  brown  with  the  dust  of  the  road. 
In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  they  were  off  again, 
with  fresh  horses,  in  the  direction  whence 
they  had  come.  From  their  faces  I  saw  that 
they  had  secured  what  they  desired.  I  saw, 
too,  that  they  wore  the  expression  that  men 
wear  when  they  are  hunting  human  prey  to 
the  death,  and  know  there  is  no  chance  for 
escape.  I  went  to  Governor  I^eete  and  told 
him  my  fears.  '  Thou  art  right,  Meigs,'  he 
said.  '  They  have  found  the  generals,  and 
have  my  warrant  in  their  pocket.  No  power 
on  earth  can  now  prevent  its  execution.' 

"  I  know  not  why  I  did  it,  but  I  took  my 
horse  and  galloped  after  the  king's  messen- 
gers, knowing  full  well  that  I  could  do  no 
good.  They  had  a  half  hour's  start,  and  it 
was  already  dark,  with  the  moon  not  yet  up. 
I  thought  to  stop  and  tell  thee  as  I  rode 
through  the  town,  but  when  I  saw  thy  son's 
house  ablaze  with  good  cheer  and  festivity,  I 
said  to  myself,  '  Jonathan  Meigs,  this  is  a 


THE  REGICIDES.  357 

serious  world  at  best ;  put  not  thy  foot  over 
the  threshold  of  a  new  house  to  convey  ill 
tidings.' 

"  So  I  rode  on  to  Milford,  scarce  knowing 
why,  and  arrived  at  the  stockade  just  as  the 
generals  were  being  led  out.  A  crowd  had 
followed  as  far  as  the  gate,  and  I  hoped  to 
see  them  attempt  a  rescue,  but  nobody  moved 
that  way  ;  and  after  watching  the  procession 
move  down  the  road  toward  Guilford,  I  took 
a  short  path  back  through  the  woods  by  the 
moonlight." 

"  And  how  did  the  generals  bear  up  under 
their  misfortune  ?  "  asked  the  minister,  deeply 
touched  by  the  hopeless  devotion  of  Meigs. 

"  Scarcely  as  I  would  have  expected,  but 
their  long  confinement  and  troubles  may 
have  made  them  weak.  They  kept  protest- 
ing that  they  were  not  Whalley  and  Goffe  at 
all,  that  they  never  signed  the  death-warrant 
of  Charles  the  First,  and  had  not  commanded 
regiments  in  Cromwell's  army.  At  these 
protestations  the  Englishmen  swore,  and  called 
them  damned  cowards,  and  when  the  men 
tried  to  get  away  Brockton  and  the  two  that 
were  with  him  beat  them  over  the  head  with 
their  cudgels." 

A  low  scream  in  the  hall  below  brought  the 


358  THE  REGICIDES. 

minister  to  his  feet,  and  nearly  overturning  the 
table  on  his  way  he  rushed  down  stairs.  The 
mistress  stood  leaning  against  the  staircase, 
and  her  candle  lay  overturned  and  still  burn- 
ing on  the  floor  where  she  had  dropped  it. 

' '  What  is  the  matter,  mother  ?  Art  thou 
ill?"  asked  Master  Davenport,  picking  up 
the  candle  and  looking  into  her  white  face. 

She  tried  to  speak,  but  could  only  gasp  a 
single  word. 

"  Ghosts -ghosts -ghosts  !  " 

"Mother,  thou  art  ill,"  said  the  minister 
tenderly.  "Let  me  lead  thee  to  thy  room." 

"Oh -Oh -Oh-,  how  horrible!  Whalley 
and  Goffe  have  been  killed  and  their  spirits 
are  knocking  at  the  door !  I  opened  it  and 
saw  them.  Oh,  take  me  away  quick,  before 
they  knock  gain  !  ' ' 

Master  Davenport  took  in  the  situation  in- 
stantly. 

"  They  have  escaped,  and  are  outside,"  he 
hurriedly  said  to  Meigs,  who  was  coming 
down  the  stairs.  "  Unbar  the  door  and  admit 
them,  while  I  take  the  mistress  to  another 
room." 

When  he  returned  the  three  men  stood  in 
the  hall,  and  the  bar  had  been  replaced  on 
the  door.  The  minister  extended  both  his 


THE  REGICIDES.  359 

hands  which  were  warmly  grasped  by  the 
visitors. 

"  Thank  God  that  you  are  safe  !"  he  ex- 
claimed fervently.  "  Come  to  the  study  and 
rest  yourselves  !  ' ' 

"  It  can  only  be  for  a  moment,"  said  Goffe, 
as  they  filed  upstairs.  ' '  The  hour  is  late,  and 
we  must  be  many  miles  from  here  before 
dawn.  General  Whalley  is  not  strong,  and 
we  will  need  to  travel  moderately.  We  can 
tarry  but  to  say  farewell,  and  ask  God's 
blessing  upon  thee  for  thy  great  kindness  to 
us." 

They  all  sat  down  before  the  study  fireplace, 
and  Whalley  sighed  like  one  whose  burden  is 
heavy. 

"Thy  reward  shall  be  great  in  heaven,  if 
not  here,"  he  said  wearily. 

"I/et  us  think  not  of  rewards,  but  rather 
rejoice  that  thou  art  free  !  "  said  the  minister. 

"  But  for  the  providence  of  God  we  would 
not  be  at  this  moment,"  continued  Goffe. 
' '  As  thou  knowest,  we  had  planned  to  start 
for  Hadley  by  the  moon  to-night,  and  when 
we  were  ready,  with  our  feet  almost  upon  the 
threshold,  Master  Tompkins  discovered  that 
a  watch  had  been  set  upon  the  house.  We 
then  thought  a  trap  had  been  set,  and  a  little 


360  THE  REGICIDES. 

investigation  showed  that  it  was  so.  We 
remained  in  readiness,  however,  and  after  two 
hours'  waiting  the  watch  left  us  uncovered 
for  a  brief  time — to  seek  the  tavern  for  warmth 
or  liquor,  I  know  not  what — and  in  the 
interval  we  slipped  out  into  the  woods." 

Meigs  nearly  fell  from  his  chair  when  Goffe 
had  finished.  He  put  his  hand  to  his  head, 
and  seemed  to  be  in  doubt  about  his  own 
sanity.  He  stared  at  Goffe  as  if  to  make 
sure  which  had  really  gone  daft.  The  min- 
ister looked  first  at  one  and  then  the  other, 
wondering  if  he  had  understood  Goffe  aright. 

"  We  intend  to  reach  Hadley  in  a  week," 
said  Goffe,  continuing,  "  by  traveling  nights 
and  resting  in  seclusion  by  day.  It  hath  been 
arranged  so  that  good  friends  will  expect  us 
along  the  way  and  make  provision  for  our 
entertainment." 

"There  is  some  misunderstanding,"  said 
the  minister  abruptly.  "  Our  friend  Meigs 
hath  been  telling  of  seeing  thee  led  away  in 
chains  toward  Guilford  by  Brockton  and  the 
two  messengers." 

"Then  Tompkins  is  safe!"  exclaimed 
Goffe,  a  bright  light  coming  into  his  eyes. 
"  His  ready  wit  hath  saved  him." 

Meigs  groaned.      He  now  felt  sure  that 


THE  REGICIDES.  361 

somebody  had  gone  insane.  His  only  ques- 
tion was  as  to  the  identity  of  the  subject. 

"As  we  were  about  to  leave,"  continued 
Goffe,  "it  occurred  to  me  that  Tompkins 
was  in  great  danger  by  reason  of  the  watch 
being  set  upon  the  house,  and  we  begged 
him  to  put  his  two  farm-hands  to  sleep  in  our 
places  as  soon  as  we  were  away.  This  he 
agreed  to  do,  and  as  the  men  were  father  and 
son,  and  not  greatly  apart  from  us  in  age,  the 
deception  could  be  made  complete  if  managed 
well." 

The  fog  in  Meigs'  brain  began  to  drift 
away.  He  soon  found  tongue  to  relate  what 
he  had  seen,  and  the  generals  laughed  heart- 
ily at  what  had  seemed  like  their  cowardly 
behavior. 

"  Those  officers  had  never  seen  us,"  said 
Whalley,  "  and  the  ruse  proved  easy.  I  am 
truly  sorry  for  the  poor  fellows  whose  heads 
are  being  thumped  in  place  of  ours." 

"  Perhaps  they  will  feel  compensated  by 
being  accused  of  great  deeds,"  replied  the 
minister.  "  Leete  will  order  them  released 
when  he  sees  the  mistake." 

"  We  must  now  depart,"  said  Goffe,  rising. 
"  The  dawn  will  be  with  us  ere  we  are  ready 
for  it.  We  hope  the  day  will  soon  come 


362  THE  REGICIDES. 

when  England  will  again  be  free  of  tyrants, 
and  we  can  return  to  serve  our  dear  country 
once  more.  For  the  present  we  can  only 
serve  her  by  waiting  in  patience  until  God's 
own  good  time  cometh.  Fare  ye  well,  my 
dear  friends,  and  may  we  soon  meet  under 
brighter  skies  !  " 

Master  Davenport  stood  in  the  shadow  of 
his  doorway  and  watched  the  two  figures 
move  slowly  up  the  street.  At  the  first  cor- 
ner they  turned  and  disappeared.  Ar.d  so 
went  out  from  his  life  these  actors  in  the  great 
historical  tragedy,  one  to  die  in  Hadley  a 
decade  later,  the  other  to  vanish  thereafter 
leaving  no  trace  behind  in  the  records  of  men. 
The  hoped-for  dawn  of  a  brighter  day  never 
came  to  them. 

"Thou  earnest  with  a  heavy  heart,"  said 
the  minister,  turning  to  Meigs,  "  but  thou 
canst  take  a  light  one  home  with  thee." 

They  stood  for  a  moment  looking  up  the 
street,  each  struggling  with  an  emotion  too 
deep  for  words. 

"And  I  hope,  Master  Davenport,"  replied 
Meigs  at  length,  "  that  thy  cares  may  now 
be  lighter.  Thou  hast  borne  a  heavy  burden 
these  many  months,  and  all  thy  friends  have 
trembled  for  thee." 


WE   HAVE  BEEN   ENTERTAINING   ANGtLS   UNAWARES" — p.  363 


THE  REGICIDES.  363 

1 '  A  good  soldier  never  complains  that  the 
fighting  is  hot  or  the  danger  great,"  returned 
the  other  smiling.  "  Do  not  forget  the  men 
thou  hast  seen  this  night,  two  men  who  dared 
to  take  a  t}'rant  though  he  were  a  king  by  the 
throat,  and  set  millions  of  oppressed  people 
free.  Strange  things  happen  in  this  world, 
Meigs.  A  few  short  years  ago  they  weie 
commanding  the  armies  and  sitting  in  the 
councils  of  a  great  nation ;  to-night  they  go 
up  yonder  street  as  hunted  fugitives,  to  hide 
like  wild  animals  when  the  light  of  another 
day  cometh.  This  colony  hath  been  enter- 
taining angels  unawares !  " 

The  men  wrung  each  other's  hand,  and  a 
moment  later  Meigs  had  mounted  his  forgot- 
ten and  shivering  horse  and  started  for  home. 

The  minister  returned  to  his  study  and  sat 
down.  The  night  was  deepening.  A  pass- 
ing footstep  told  of  the  faithful  watch  going 
his  rounds  through  the  town,  but  that  gave 
him  no  fear.  He  knew  that  his  friends  were 
safe. 

"  It  is  better  to  be  right  than  mighty,"  he 
said  to  himself  at  length,  as  he  reached  down 
to  stir  the  dying  embers. 

THE  END. 


APPENDIX. 


NOTE  A.  Page  50.  This  extract  is  from  a  pub- 
lished volume  of  sermons  printed  by  Mr.  Davenport 
in  1661.  The  exact  date  of  its  delivery  is  unknown, 
but  the  fact  that  it  was  uttered  in  connection  with 
the  visit  of  the  "regicides "  is  well  established. 

NOTE  B.  Page  79.  It  was  the  custom  of  the  min- 
ister to  invert  the  hour-glass  as  a  signal  to  his  con- 
gregation that  the  sermon  could  be  ended  soon,  an 
hour  having  been  thus  far  consumed  in  its  delivery. 
If  the  audience  appeared  to  be  still  interested,  or 
looked  capable  of  enduring  more,  the  dispensing  of 
Calvinistic  doctrine  continued.  If  certain  of  the 
"  pillars  "  looked  bored  or  tired,  the  hint  was  taken 
and  the  discourse  wound  up. 

NOTE  C.  Page  106.  The  Tobacco  Law  was  suffi- 
ciently unique  to  bear  quotation:  "It  is  ordered 
that  no  tobacco  shall  be  taken  in  the  streets,  yards, 
or  aboute  the  houses  in  any  plantation  or  farme  in 
this  jurisdiction,  or  without  dores  neere  or  aboute 
the  towne,  or  in  the  meeting-house,  or  body  of  the 
trayne  souldiors,  or  any  other  place  where  they  may 
doe  mischief  thereby,  under  the  penalty  of  six 
pence  a  pipe  or  a  time,  wch  is  to  goe  to  him  that 
informes  or  prosecuts,  wch  if  refused  is  to  be  re- 
couered  by  distress,  in  wch  case  if  there  be  differ- 
rence,  it  may  be  issued  wthout  a  couit  by  any  mag- 


ii.  APPENDIX. 

istrate,  or  where  there  is  no  magistrate  by  any 
deputie  or  constable ;  but  if  he  be  a  poor  seruant 
and  hath  not  to  paye,  and  his  master  will  not  paye 
for  him,  he  shall  then  be  punished  by  sitting  in  the 
stocks  one  houre." 

From  an  Act  passed  by  the  General  Court,  May 
30,  1655. 

NOTE  D.  Page  121.  The  trial  and  conviction 
of  Martha  Malbon  is  no  fiction,  though  its  place 
here  is  an  anachronism  as  to  time.  The  exact  date 
came  a  few  years  earlier,  so  that  it  has  become  nec- 
essary, for  the  purposes  of  this  story,  to  have  Mar- 
tha tried  by  the  judges  of  the  period  of  which  we 
are  writing,  except  that  her  father,  who  took  part 
in  her  trial  and  voted  for  her  conviction,  is  substi- 
tuted in  place  of  one  of  the  contemporary  judges. 

The  judgment  of  the  court,  as  it  appears  on  the 
Colonial  Records,  is  as  follows:  "Martha  Malbon, 
for  consenting  to  goe  in  the  night  to  the  farmes  wth 
Will  Harding  to  a  venison  feast,  for  stealing  things 
fro  her  parents,  and  yielding  to  filthy  dalliance  wth 
said  Harding,  was  whipped."  The  term  "filthy 
dalliance"  was  used  to  describe  any  relation  of  the 
sexes  beyond  ordinary  conversation  not  coming 
within  the  family  circle.  Taking  hold  of  hands, 
caresses  of  any  sort,  kissing  and  embracing,  were 
deemed  to  be  filthy  dalliance. 

Mr.  Malbon  finally  returned  to  England. 

NOTE  E.  Page  169.  Goody  Godman  had  a  full 
and  fair  trial,  at  which  much  ridiculous  testimony 
was  adduced  ;  but  unlike  the  Salem  judges — and,  it 
must  be  confessed,  some  Connecticut  judges — the 
New  Haven  court  held  that  while  witchcraft,  if 


APPENDIX.  iii. 

found,  was  punishable  by  death,  the  evidence  must 
be  as  clear  and  convincing  as  in  any  other  case. 

The  following  is  the  law  upon  which  Goody's 
trial  was  based :  "If  any  person  be  a  Witch,  he  or 
she  shall  be  put  to  death,  according  to  Exod.  xxii  : 
18;  Levit.  xx  :  27 ;  Deut.  xviii:  10,  u." 

For  a  full  report  of  the  trial  see  the  Colonial  Rec- 
ords. 

NOTE  F.  Page  175.  The  incidents  and  much  of 
the  dialogue  used  in  this  chapter  are  taken  from 
the  report  made  by  Kellond  and  Kirke  after  their 
return  to  Massachusetts. 

NOTE  F-a.  Page  177.  At  a  General  Court  for 
New  Haven,  May  22, 1654,  "  The  towne  was  informed 
that  there  was  some  notion  againe  on  foote  concern- 
ing the  setting  vp  of  a  Colledg  here  at  Newhaven, 
Well,  if  attayned,  will  in  all  likelyhood  prove  verey 
beneficiall  to  this  place,  but  now  it  is  ouley 
ppounded  to  knowe  the  townes  minde  and  whether 
they  are  willing  to  further  the  worke  by  bearing  a 
meet  pportion  of  the  charge  of  the  jurisdiction, 
vpou  the  pposal  thereof,  shall  see  cause  to  carry  it 
on.  No  man  objected,  but  all  seemed  willing, 
pvided  that  the  paye  wch  they  can  raise  here  will 
doe  it." 

The  next  year  at  a  General  Court,  May  21,  1655, 
the  subject  was  "  revived,  &  in  some  respects  this 
seemes  to  be  a  season,  some  disturbanc  being  at 
prsent  at  the  colledg  in  ye  Bay,*  and  it  is  now 
intended  to  be  ppounded  to  the  gen  :  court ;  there- 
fore this  towne  may  declare  what  they  will  doe  by 
way  of  incouragmt  for  ye  same,  and  it  would  be 

*  Harvard. 


iy.  APPENDIX. 

•well  if  they  herein  giue  a  good  example  to  ye  other 
townes  in  ye  jurisdiction,  being  free  in  so  good  a 
worke.  Mr.  Dauenport  and  Mr.  Hooke  were  both 
present  vpon  this  occasion  and  spake  much  to 
incourag  the  worke,"  and  a  committee  was  appoin- 
ted "  to  goe  to  the  seuerall  planters  in  this  towne 
and  take  from  them  what  they  will  freely  giue  to 
this  worke."  Colonial  Records. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  1660,  Mr.  Davenport  pre- 
sented a  "  memordum,"  setting  forth  the  desirabil- 
ity of  establishing  a  college  at  New  Haven.  The 
matter  was  taken  into  consideration  but  no  imme- 
diate action  taken. 

NOTE  G.  Page  178.  The  laws  quoted  in  this 
appendix  are  fair  examples.  The  Whipping  Law 
is  perhaps  as  good  an  illustration  as  can  be  given  to 
show  the  intent  with  which  they  were  framed  : 
"Stiipes,  or  whipping,  is  a  correction  fit,  and 
proper  in  some  cases  (Prov.  xix  :  29;  xxvi :  3.),  where 
the  offense  is  accompanied  with  childish,  or  brutish 
folly,  with  rude  filthiness,  or  with  stubborn  inso- 
lency,  with  bestly  cruelty,  or  with  idle  vagrancy, 
or  for  faults  of  like  nature.  But  when  stripes  are 
due :  It  is  Ordered,  That  not  above  forty  stripes 
shall  be  inflicted  at  one  time.  Deut  xxv  :  3." 

The  law  that  all  liquor  casks  should  be  of  the 
London  standard  was  based  upon  Deut.  xxv :  15 ; 
Mic.  vi :  10. 

NOTE  H.  Page  225.  Goffe's  diary  says  they 
stayed  two  nights  at  a  place  called  Hatchet  Har- 
bour, while  a  cave  or  hole  in  the  side  of  the  hill  was 
being  prepared  to  receive  them.  The  time  is  here 
extended  to  a  week  for  narrative  purposes- 


APPENDIX.  v. 

NOTE  I.  Page  226.  "Harrison  was  the  first  to 
suffer.  He  was  drawn  on  a  hurdle — a  sort  of  rude 
sledge  or  drag — to  Charing  Cross,  in  sight  of  White- 
hall, where  the  king  had  been  beheaded.  On  his 
way  a  voice  cried  out  in  derision,  '  Where  is  your 
good  old  cause  now?'  'Here  it  is,'  replied  the 
undaunted  man,  placing  his  hand  on  his  breast, 
'and  I  am  going  to  seal  it  with  my  blood.'  On 
reaching  the  gallows  he  was  hanged  by  the  neck,  but 
cut  down  alive ;  next,  he  was  cut  open,  his  bowels 
torn  out  and  thrown  into  the  fire ;  then  his  body 
was  chopped  into  four  quarters,  and  his  still  palpi- 
tating heart  held  up  to  the  view  of  the  crowd.  " 

From  "  The  Three  Judges,"  By  I.  P.  Warren. 

Note  J.  Page  229.  "  Three  persons  only  appear 
to  hare  known  of  this  retreat,  Mr.  Jones,  Mr. 
Sperry,  and  a  man  named  Burrill,  who  seems  to 
have  been  a  fellow-laborer  of  Sperry  on  the  farm. 
Thither  the  judges  repaired  on  the  I5th.  Their 
supplies  were  furnished  by  Mr.  Jones,  through  the 
medium  of  Sperry,  their  food  being  sent  to  them 
daily  from  the  farm-house.  Sometimes  the  latter 
carried  it  himself,  at  others  he  dispatched  it,  tied 
up  in  a  cloth,  by  one  of  his  boys,  with  orders  to  lay 
it  on  a  certain  stump,  and  there  leave  it ;  and  when 
the  boy  went  at  night  for  the  vessels,  he  always 
found  them  emptied  of  their  contents,  and  brought 
them  home.  The  lad  wondered  at  this,  and  inquired 
of  his  father  what  it  meant,  for  he  saw  nobody. 
The  latter  told  him  it  was  for  some  persons  at  work 
in  the  woods  ;  nor  was  it  till  long  afterward  that 
any  one  knew  who  these  '  persons  '  were."  Warren. 


vi.  APPENDIX. 

Note  K.  Page  266.  "  Some  Indians,  in  their 
hunting  discovered  the  cave  with  the  bed  ;  and  the 
report  being  spread  abroad,  it  was  not  safe  to  remain 
near  it."  General  Goffe's  Diary. 

Note  l-i.  Page  340.  The  Marriage  Laws  of  the 
colony  required  the  service  to  be  performed  by  a 
civil  magistrate. 

Note  M.  Page  350.  Col.  Abraham  Davenport,  a 
grandson  of  John  and  Abigail,  was  a  member  of  the 
State  Council  of  Connecticut  at  the  time  of  the 
famous  Dark  Day,  May  19,  1780.  There  was  much 
alarm  felt,  and  many  feared  that  the  Judgment 
Day  was  at  hand.  In  the  midst  of  the  excitement  a 
motion  was  made  to  adjourn,  when  Col.  Davenport 
calmly  rose  and  said,  "  I  am  against  an  adjourn- 
ment. The  Day  of  Judgment  is  either  approaching 
or  it  is  not.  If  it  is  not,  there  is  no  cause  for  an  ad- 
journment ;  if  it  is,  I  choose  to  be  found  doing  my 
duty.  I  wish,  therefore,  that  the  candles  may  be 
brought,  and  we  proceed  to  business."  Whittier 
has  made  the  incident  the  subject  of  a  well-known 
poem.  Col.  Davenport  was  named  from  Abigail's 
brother,  Abraham  Pierson,  who  became  the  first 
president  of  Yale  College. 

Abigail's  tomb  may  be  seen  in  the  crypt  under 
the  Center  Church,  New  Haven. 


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